Abstract
Several lines of evidence indicate that rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to a wide range of stimuli that are capable of producing either euphoric (positive) or dysphoric (negative) emotional states. On these bases, recordings of USVs are extensively used in preclinical studies of affect, motivation, and social behavior. Rat USVs are sensitive to the effects of certain classes of psychoactive drugs, suggesting that emission of rat USVs can have relevance not only to neurobiology, but also to neuropharmacology and psychopharmacology. This review summarizes three types of rat USVs, namely 40-kHz USVs emitted by pups, 22-kHz USVs and 50-kHz USVs emitted by young and adult animals, and relevance of these vocalizations to neuropharmacological studies. Attention will be focused on the issues of how rat USVs can be used to evaluate the pharmacological properties of different classes of drugs, and how rat USVs can be combined with other behavioral models used in neuropharmacology. The strengths and limitations of experimental paradigms based on the evaluation of rat USVs will also be discussed.
Keywords: Analgesic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, drug abuse, drug toxicity, psychostimulant.
Graphical Abstract
Current Neuropharmacology
Title:Rat Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Behavioral Neuropharmacology: From the Screening of Drugs to the Study of Disease
Volume: 13 Issue: 2
Author(s): Nicola Simola
Affiliation:
Keywords: Analgesic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, drug abuse, drug toxicity, psychostimulant.
Abstract: Several lines of evidence indicate that rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to a wide range of stimuli that are capable of producing either euphoric (positive) or dysphoric (negative) emotional states. On these bases, recordings of USVs are extensively used in preclinical studies of affect, motivation, and social behavior. Rat USVs are sensitive to the effects of certain classes of psychoactive drugs, suggesting that emission of rat USVs can have relevance not only to neurobiology, but also to neuropharmacology and psychopharmacology. This review summarizes three types of rat USVs, namely 40-kHz USVs emitted by pups, 22-kHz USVs and 50-kHz USVs emitted by young and adult animals, and relevance of these vocalizations to neuropharmacological studies. Attention will be focused on the issues of how rat USVs can be used to evaluate the pharmacological properties of different classes of drugs, and how rat USVs can be combined with other behavioral models used in neuropharmacology. The strengths and limitations of experimental paradigms based on the evaluation of rat USVs will also be discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Simola Nicola, Rat Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Behavioral Neuropharmacology: From the Screening of Drugs to the Study of Disease, Current Neuropharmacology 2015; 13 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X13999150318113800
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X13999150318113800 |
Print ISSN 1570-159X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6190 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
- Forthcoming Thematic Issues
Related Articles
-
Review of the Biological Activity of Maslinic Acid
Current Drug Targets Adaptive Behavior in Williams-Beuren Syndrome, Down Syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Current Psychiatry Reviews Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Progress and Prospect with Herbal Medicine
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial [Hot Topic: Nitric Oxide: Implications for the Etiology & Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders (Guest Editor: Giuseppe Di Giovanni)]
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Drug-induced Inhibition and Trafficking Disruption of ion Channels: Pathogenesis of QT Abnormalities and Drug-induced Fatal Arrhythmias
Current Cardiology Reviews AAVs Anatomy: Roadmap for Optimizing Vectors for Translational Success
Current Gene Therapy Commonalities in Biological Pathways, Genetics, and Cellular Mechanism between Alzheimer Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases: An In Silico-Updated Overview
Current Alzheimer Research Development and Validation of 'Level A' In Vitro - In Vivo Correlation for Extended Release Tablets of Lamotrigine
Current Bioactive Compounds From Blood-to-Brain: Regulating the Permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier
Current Psychopharmacology A Convenient, Solvent Free and High Yielding Synthesis of Bicyclo- Heterocyclic Compounds
Letters in Organic Chemistry Navigating the Sea Changes in Patent Law to Successfully Build Value
Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (Discontinued) Effect of Nutrient Medium, Phytohormones and Elicitation Treatment on in-vitro Callus Culture of Bacopa monniera and Expression of Secondary Metabolites
The Natural Products Journal Targeted Drug Delivery in Brain Tumors-nanochemistry Applications and Advances
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis of 5-Arylidene Barbiturates: A Novel Class of DPPH Radical Scavengers
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Neurotoxicity and Side-Effects of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy [HAART] on the Central and Peripheral Nerve System
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Screening the Receptorome Yields Validated Molecular Targets for Drug Discovery
Current Pharmaceutical Design Canine Nutritional Model: Influence of Age, Diet, and Genetics on Health and Well-Being
Current Nutrition & Food Science Epigenetic Regulation of Trinucleotide Repeat Expansions and Contractions and the “Biased Embryos” Hypothesis for Rapid Morphological Evolution
Current Genomics Effects of Low Doses of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on the Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder of Children: A Systematic Review
Current Neuropharmacology mTOR: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Diseases of Multiple Systems
Current Drug Targets