Adenosine A(2A) receptor deletion affects social behaviors and anxiety in mice: Involvement of anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala

作者：Lopez Cruz Laura; Carbo Gas Maria; Pardo Marta; Bayarri Pilar; Valverde Olga; Ledent Catherine; Salamone John D; Correa Merce^*

来源：Behavioural Brain Research, 2017, 321: 8-17.

DOI：10.1016/j.bbr.2016.12.020

• Social preference
• Social recognition
• Adenosine
• Aggressive behavior
• c-Fos
• Marble-burying test

Blockade of adenosine A(2A) receptors can potentiate motivation to work for natural reinforcers such as food. Conspecific interaction is a potent natural reinforcer in social animals that can be manifested as preference for social exploration versus other sources of novel stimulation. Deficiencies in this type of motivated behavior (social withdrawal) have been seen in several pathologies such as autism and depression. However, the role of A(2A) receptors in motivation for social interaction has not been widely explored. Social interaction paradigms evaluate the natural preference of animals for exploring other conspecifics, and the ability to differentiate between familiar versus novel ones. Anxiety is one of the factors that can induce avoidance of social interaction. In the present study, adenosine A(2A) knockout (A(2A)KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were assessed for social and anxiety-related behaviors. c-Fos immunoreactivity was evaluated as a measure of neuronal activation in brain areas involved in different aspects of motivation and emotional processes. Although A(2A)KO mice showed an anxious profile, they displayed higher levels of sociability and were less sensitive to social novelty. WT mice displayed a typical pattern of social recognition 24 h later, but not A(2A)KO mice, which explored equally both conspecifics. There were no differences between strains in aggressiveness, perseverance or social odor preferences. c-Fos immunoreactivity in A(2A)KO mice was higher in anterior cingulate and amygdala compared to WT mice. Thus, A(2A) receptors appear to be potential targets for the improvement of pathologies related to social function.

• 出版日期2017-3-15