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PubMed2006

Parental discipline and affection and children's prosocial behavior: genetic and environmental links.

The authors investigated genetic and environmental contributions to the relationships between children's (N=9,319 twin pairs) prosocial behavior and parental positivity and negativity toward them. Children's prosocial behavior was rated by parents at ages 3, 4, and 7 and by teachers at age 7. At each age, parents described their feelings and discipline toward each twin. Parental positivity was indexed by positive feelings and positive, non-coercive discipline, and parental negativity was indexed by negative feelings and coercive, punitive discipline. Genetics and the environment both contributed to individual differences in prosocial behavior and in parenting. At all ages, parental positivity correlated positively, and parental negativity correlated negatively with prosocial behavior. Genetic factors largely mediated the negative correlation between prosocial behavior and parental negativity. Shared environmental effects contributed mainly to the positive relationship between prosocial behavior and parental positivity. This pattern was found both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The findings point to the importance of children's characteristics and of the parent-child relationship in family processes.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Amphetamine stereotypy: the influence of environmental factors and prepotent behavioral patterns on its topography and development.

This report describes a series of experiments, all of which demonstrate a strong contribution of the behavioral pattern manifested at the time of initial amphetamine injection to the topography and development of the stereotypy that develops with chronic amphetamine intoxication. These initial behavioral patterns reflect (i) learned behaviors, (ii) species-specific behaviors, (iii) behaviors associated with amphetamine arousal, and (iv) novel behaviors reflecting unique environmental circumstances prevailing at the time of administration. In an experiment using eight dogs administered amphetamine in a situation which allowed interaction between the animals, the behavioral stereotypies that developed were comprised of the social interaction patterns ongoing at the time of initial drug effects. Experiments with rats have demonstrated that the configuration of the enclosure in which they are injected influences the initial behavioral reactions to amphetamine and thus modifies the stereotypy. In experiments with cats pressing a lever to self-administer amphetamine, investigatory behavior at the lever-press operandi becomes incorporated as does the learned behavior response into the stereotypy. The behavioral patterns originally associated with amphetamine arousal eventually supersede the learned response component of the stereotypy. Finally, monkeys incorporate components of the initial behaviors associated with amphetamine administration into a wider range of stereotype patterns over months of chronic intoxication, and eventually the stereotypy may evolve into a specific dyskinesia involving movements of the original behavioral component.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Brain alpha 1-adrenergic neurotransmission is necessary for behavioral activation to environmental change in mice.

Terazosin, a water-soluble alpha 1 antagonist that can be administered in high doses intraventricularly was used to study the relationship between brain alpha 1 adrenoceptor neurotransmission and behavioral activation in the mouse. The antagonist was found to produce a dose-dependent, complete inhibition of motor activity and catalepsy which were reversed preferentially by coinfusion of an alpha 1 agonist (phenylephrine) compared to a D1 (SKF38393) or a D2 agonist, (quinpirole). Blockade of central beta-1 (betaxolol), alpha-2 (RX821002) or beta-2 (ICI 118551) adrenoceptors had smaller or non-significant effects. Terazosin's selectivity for alpha 1 receptors versus dopaminergic receptors was verified under the present conditions by showing that the intraventricularly administered antagonist protected striatal and cerebral cortical alpha 1 receptors but not striatal or cortical D1 receptors from in vivo alkylation by N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1, 2-dihydroxyquinoline. That its effect was due to blockade of brain rather than peripheral receptors was shown by the finding that intraperitoneal doses of terazosin three to 66 times greater than the maximal intraventricular dose produced less behavioral inhibition. Intraventricular terazosin also produced hypothermia and a reduced respiratory rate suggestive of a reduced sympathetic outflow. However, external heat did not affect the inactivity, and captopril, a hypotensive agent, did not mimic it. Terazosin did not impair performance on a horizontal wire test or the ability to make co-ordinated movements in a swim test suggesting that its activity-reducing effect was not due to sedation and may have a motivational or sensory gating component. It is concluded that central alpha 1-noradrenergic neurotransmission is required for behavioral activation to environmental change in the mouse and may operate on sensorimotor and motivational processes.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1994

Behavioral change with environmental change.

The influence of sheltered workshop and community employment on inappropriate behaviors of six people with developmental disabilities was examined. During the first 3 months of community employment the mean decrease in targeted behaviors was 94%.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effects of environmental enrichment on behavior and dopamine transporter function in medial prefrontal cortex in adult rats prenatally treated with cocaine.

The present study determined if environmental enrichment modifies the effects of prenatal cocaine on open field activity, social interaction and dopamine transporter (DAT) function in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in rats. Cocaine (40 mg/kg) or saline was administered (s.c.) to pregnant dams from gestation days 8 to 20 (PCOC and PSAL, respectively). At postnatal day 25 (PND 25), female offspring from PCOC and PSAL groups were assigned to the enriched condition (EC; PCOC/EC and PSAL/EC) or impoverished condition (IC; PCOC/IC and PSAL/IC). On PND 60, 90 and 120, locomotor activity, rearing behavior and social interactions were assessed in the open field. On PND 345, rats were anesthetized, challenged with nicotine (0.4 mg/kg), and DAT function in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was assessed using in vivo voltammetry. EC groups displayed decreased locomotor activity across test days, while activity in IC groups did not habituate across days. Generally, PCOC groups displayed more rearing behavior than PSAL groups. During social interaction assessment, IC groups followed their social partner more frequently than EC groups. Moreover, the PCOC/IC group initiated more play solicitations and was engaged in mutual rearing less frequently than PCOC/EC, PSAL/IC and PSAL/EC groups, indicating that epigenetic environmental factors decreased the divergent social behaviors displayed by the PCOC/IC group. Results from in vivo voltammetry experiments demonstrated differences in baseline DAT function in response to environmental enrichment in the prenatal saline groups; however, no effect of prenatal cocaine was observed under baseline conditions. Nicotine challenge unmasked an effect of prenatal cocaine on DA clearance rate in mPFC in the IC groups, which was attenuated by environmental enrichment. Taken together, PCOC/IC rats displayed divergent social interaction and altered DAT function in mPFC, whereas the PCOC/EC group generally was not different from PSAL groups, suggesting that environmental enrichment attenuates the behavioral and neurochemical effects of prenatal cocaine.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Interrater reliabilities of the Adaptive Behavior Scale with environmental effects controlled.

Interrater reliabilities were obtained from 180 matched observers of adaptive behavior (using the Adaptive Behavior Scale) of mentally retarded adults. The study was designed to control for interactional differences in raters and administration method. There were no significant differences in reliability coefficients among informants using the three methods of administration. On Part One, domains describing skill acquisition and independent functioning were acceptably high. Domains of social-interactional skills were markedly lower. On Part Two, reliability coefficients were generally inconclusive, with the exception of acting out behavior that resulted in agreement among raters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Genetic and environmental influences on behavioral and neurochemical aspects of emotionality in rats.

Three pairings of rats (two derived from divergent, selective breeding and one from divergent environmental conditions) were compared with regard to behavioral and hormonal parameters. Striking differences were observed: results obtained in our own laboratory as well as those found in a review of the literature pointed to higher emotionality (e.g., increased defecation and corticosterone secretion, etc.) in Roman low-avoidance, Wistar-Kyoto and group-housed rats, as compared to their respective counterparts, Roman high-avoidance, spontaneously hypertensive, and individually housed Wistar rats. Concomitant receptor binding studies reviewed here (3H-diazepam- and 3H-imipramine-binding sites) have revealed, however, less consistent intrapair differences.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Morphological and behavioral markers of environmentally induced retardation of brain development: an animal model.

In most neurotoxicological studies morphological assessment focuses on pathological effects, like degenerative changes in neuronal perikarya, axonopathy, demyelination, and glial and endothelial cell reactions. Similarly, the assessment of physiological and behavioral effects center on evident neurological symptoms, like EEG and EMG abnormalities, resting and intention tremor, abnormal gait, and abnormal reflexes. This paper reviews briefly another central nervous system target of harmful environmental agents, which results in behavioral abnormalities without any qualitatively evident neuropathology. This is called microneuronal hypoplasia, a retardation of brain development characterized by a quantitative reduction in the normal population of late-generated, short-axoned neurons in specific brain regions. Correlated descriptive and experimental neurogenetic studies in the rat have established that all the cerebellar granule cells and a very high proportion of hippocampal granule cells are produced postnatally, and that focal, low-dose X-irradiation either of the cerebellum or of the hippocampus after birth selectively interferes with the acquisition of the full complement of granule cells (microneuronal hypoplasia). Subsequent behavioral investigations showed that cerebellar microneuronal hypoplasia results in profound hyperactivity without motor abnormalities, while hippocampal microneuronal hypoplasia results in hyperactivity, as well as attentional and learning deficits. There is much indirect clinical evidence that various harmful environmental agents affecting the pregnant mother and/or the infant lead to such childhood disorders as hyperactivity and attentional and learning disorders. As the developing human brain is more mature at birth than the rat brain, the risk for microneuronal hypoplasia and consequent behavioral disorders may be highest at late stages of fetal development, in prematurely born and small-for-weight infants, and during the early stages of infant development. Recent technological advances in brain imaging techniques make it possible to test this hypothesis and to assess the possible relationship between the degree of retarded brain development and ensuing behavioral disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Pemphigus vulgaris: environmental factors. Occupational, behavioral, medical, and qualitative food frequency questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: There have been reports suggesting the involvement of environmental factors in the disease process of pemphigus. Factors suggested include exposure to pesticides or certain drugs. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of pemphigus with environmental exposure to various agents, including smoking, recreational and occupational insults, drugs, and food. DESIGN AND SETTING: In-person interviews of pemphigus patients and control subjects were conducted by trained medical investigators using a structured questionnaire. Questions included occupational, behavioral, medical, and qualitative food frequency details. The multicenter study was conducted at outpatient services of teaching hospitals in Bulgaria, Brazil, India, Israel, Italy, Spain, and the USA. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 126 pemphigus patients (55 men, 71 women; age, 54 +/- 17 years) and 173 healthy controls (87 men, 86 women; age 50 +/- 19 years) were interviewed in the period between October 1, 1999 and March 31, 2000. The diagnosis of pemphigus was based on clinical, histologic, immunohistologic, and immunohistochemical criteria. The disease duration was 2-27 years (8.4 +/- 7.2 years). Individuals with skin diseases other than pemphigus were selected as control subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Information on drugs, foods, and occupational, environmental, constitutional, and other possible risk factors was analyzed by t-tests and chi-squared tests as applicable. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to the data to study simultaneously the independent relationship between each risk factor and pemphigus vulgaris. RESULTS: The risk for pemphigus vulgaris was lower for ex-smokers and current smokers than for patients who had never smoked. Exposure to pesticides and occupational exposure to metal vapor were associated with an increased risk of pemphigus. Pemphigus patients had more pregnancies than controls. There were differences in environmental factors between countries, with exposure to gardening materials and pesticides being highest among patients from Bulgaria, followed by Israel. Disease characteristics also exhibited differences between countries. Bulgarian patients less frequently had oral mucous membrane lesions: 66% compared to 92% for Israeli patients and 83% for Italians. The distribution of the disease in skin and mucous membranes was similar among patients from all countries. Exclusive skin involvement was seen in 50% of patients, mucous membranes alone in 23% of patients, and both skin and mucous membranes in 27% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effect of smoking on pemphigus might be explained by its effect on the immune system. In addition, smoking has an antiestrogenic effect, while pesticides have an estrogenic effect. The lower numbers of smokers among patients, the higher exposure rates to pesticides, and the higher number of female patients who had been pregnant may point to the contribution of estrogens to the disease process. It remains to be determined whether measures, such as avoiding exposure to pesticides or metal vapor, may be beneficial in the clinical context. As the present study was a survey, more definitive studies should be conducted to validate the results.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2005

The use of norms of reaction to analyze genotypic and environmental influences on behavior in mice and rats.

Norms of reaction (NoRs) represent the phenotypic values of genotypes as functions of environmental parameters and permit the visualization of differences in phenotypic response of different genotypes. NoR graphs can be used to analyze interactions between genotypic and environmental factors during development to produce phenotypes in inbred strains of rats and mice. We describe the main features of NoRs, the history of their use in this context, and discuss several applications in behavioral neuroscience. In addition, we give a test for determining whether distinct strains have different NoRs.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2004

Behavioral, adrenal, and sympathetic responses to long-term administration of an oral corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist in a primate stress paradigm.

CRH is a main regulator of the stress response. This neuropeptide and its specific receptors, CRHR-1 and CRHR-2, are disseminated throughout the central nervous system. There is a significant interspecies difference in the distribution of CRHR within the central nervous system. CRH-R1 antagonists may attenuate stress-related behavior in rats without compromising adrenal function, but few studies have addressed the same question in higher mammals. Antalarmin (AA) is a specific CRHR-1 antagonist suitable for oral administration. Social separation is a potent stressor for rhesus monkeys. Therefore, we sought to investigate the hormonal responses to chronic administration of AA using a primate stress model. Eight preadolescent (4-6 kg) male rhesus monkeys received AA (20 mg/kg.d) or placebo (PBO) orally. All animals were on a regular day/light cycle and were fed with standard monkey chow daily. The study (114 d) was comprised of the following consecutive phases: adaptation, baseline, separation (stress), recovery, and cross-over. During social separation, solid panels separated the individuals. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and femoral venous blood samples were obtained once a week on the fourth day of separation under ketamine anesthesia. Serum samples were also obtained 1 and 2 h after separation. CSF samples were assayed for CRH, AA, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI). Plasma was assayed for ACTH, cortisol, NE, and EPI. AA was detected in the plasma of each monkey while they were taking the active drug and in none of the animals on PBO. Among the behaviors assessed, environmental exploration, a behavior inhibited by stress, was increased during AA administration. However, AA at this dose did not affect other anxiety-related behavioral end points, including self-directed behavior, vocalization, or locomotion. We also observed that: 1) ACTH decreased between adaptation and baseline, indicating that the animals had adjusted to the novel environment; 2) ACTH and cortisol increased significantly after social separation, indicating that social separation was an adequate model for acute stress; 3) NE and EPI increased significantly during acute stress in the AA and PBO groups (P < 0.005, NE; P < 0.001, EPI); 4) after chronic stress, by d 4 of separation, ACTH levels were no longer significantly different from baseline, and NE and EPI remained slightly elevated when compared with baseline (P < 0.05, NE; P < 0.01, EPI); and 5) all the animals remained healthy and gained the expected weight during the study. In summary, oral chronic administration of a specific CRH-R1 antagonist to rhesus monkeys does not blunt the sympathoadrenal response to stress while increasing environmental exploration, a behavior that is normally suppressed during stressful events. Taken together, these findings suggest that CRHR-1 antagonists may be a valid treatment for stress-related disorders.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Genetic and environmental influences on behavioral disinhibition.

Comorbidity among childhood disruptive behavioral disorders is commonly reported in both epidemiologic and clinical studies. These problems are also associated with early substance use and other markers of behavioral disinhibition. Previous twin research has suggested that much of the covariation between antisocial behavior and alcohol dependence is due to common genetic influences. Similar results have been reported for conduct problems and hyperactivity. For the present study, an adolescent sample consisting of 172 MZ and 162 DZ twin pairs, recruited through the Colorado Twin Registry and the Colorado Longitudinal Twin Study were assessed using standardized psychiatric interviews and personality assessments. DSM-IV symptom counts for conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, along with a measure of substance experimentation and novelty seeking, were used as indices of a latent behavioral disinhibition trait. A confirmatory factor model fit to individual-level data showed a strong common factor accounting for 16-42% of the observed variance in each measure. A common pathway model evaluating the genetic and environmental architecture of the latent phenotype suggested that behavioral disinhibition is highly heritable (a(2) = 0.84), and is not influenced significantly by shared environmental factors. A residual correlation between conduct disorder and substance experimentation was explained by shared environmental effects, and a residual correlation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and novelty seeking was accounted for by genetic dominance. These results suggest that a variety of adolescent problem behaviors may share a common underlying genetic risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Impact of hydrophobic pollutants' behavior on occupational and environmental health.

This paper reviews the influence of hydrophobic pollutant behavior on environmental hazards and risks. The definition and examples of hydrophobic pollutants are given as a guide to better understand the sources of release and the media of dispersion in the environment. The properties and behavior of hydrophobic pollutants are described and their influence on environmental hazard and risk is reviewed and evaluated. The overall outcome of the assessment and evaluation showed that all hydrophobic pollutants are hazardous and risky to all organisms, including man. Their risk effects are due to their inherent persistence, bioaccumulation potential, environmental mobility, and reactivity. Their hazardous effects on organisms occur at varying spatial and temporal degrees of emissions, toxicities, exposures, and concentrations.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2001

[Effects of environmental change and others' behavior on cooperative behavior and solution preference in social dilemma].

This study examined how environmental change and others' behavior affected cooperative behavior and solution preference of the person in social dilemma situation. Participants in two experiments played an "environment game," in which gradual pollution in environment and reduction in profit rate were simulated. Information on behavior of other players was manipulated: in "free rider" condition, one person was an extreme free rider, and the others were cooperative; in "loafing" condition, everyone loafed. In both experiments, "Bad Apple Effect" was not observed clearly, and cooperative behavior increased as environmental pollution worsened. In Experiment 2, there was no main effect of others' behavior on solution preference. However, significant correlations were found among solution preference, motivation to control others' behavior, and perceived seriousness of the situation, only when an extreme free rider was among them.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Medial preoptic lesions and male sexual behavior: age and environmental interactions.

In all species studied, the medial preoptic area has been found to be necessary for male copulatory behavior. No recovery of sexual function from the medial preoptic area lesions appears to have been reported. This study demonstrates that rats with large lesions of the medial preoptic area exhibit adult male sexual behavior when the surgery is performed prepuberally and the rats have interacted socially with peers.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Multivariate methods in the analysis of the relationships between mortality and socioeconomic, environmental, and individual behavioral variables].

This study is concerned with the relationships between geographic factors and mortality from external causes, such as environmental pollution, nutrition, and socioeconomic factors. It is based on Italian data on the mortality of adult males aged 25 years and over. The results show that "degenerative diseases, from middle age onwards, are typical sicknesses of the more highly industrialised and richer areas, [particularly] where economic development has not been accompanied by action to preserve the environment from pollution. Diseases which medical and therapeutic progress have rendered almost harmless continue to strike the populations of the poorer areas, where adequate hygienic and sanitary structures are lacking." (summary in ENG, ITA)

Adult↗