To attain a deeper understanding of behavioral development, we use Norway rats, domesticated mice, and transgenic mice in a variety of psychobiological investigations that address several levels of analysis. Reductionistic analyses involve thermotaxis and geotaxis, two fundamental elements in early postnatal behavior. These elements are studied developmentally -- separately and then in combination so we can analyze how they are integrated during early development; we apply a variety of experimental methods, including pharmacological and genetic manipulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in combination with a novel modeling approach. Suckling, an early adaptive system, is examined as a learned, congenital behavior, acquired through stimulation intrinsic to birth process. We simulate separate components of the birth process and test hypotheses about how the stimuli function to condition fetus. The postnatal expression of this learning is then studied. On a more molar level, we explore interrelations among suckling behavior, satiety, and induced perceptual references. We examine the role of oxytocin as a common pathway or peptide mechanism in homeostasis and reward. Modeling approaches are again introduced in the analysis of regulation by individuals and groups. We also examine complex behavioral processes during development, as a means of understanding the rules of interaction and the basis of developmental synchrony. Weaning, a universal transition in mammalian ontogeny, provides a model of the development of independence from the nest, as well as emergent sociality. Mother-litter and intra-litter interactions are studied both experimentally and with computational methods involving our individual-based modeling approach. These studies integrate with our new knowledge concerning oxytocinergic mechanisms. We continue our studies of maternal behavior by elucidating the sudden, prepartum rise in maternal responsivity to infant ultrasonic vocalization, using a series of playback, endocrine, and experiential studies. We also initiate mouse research, for this will provide a meaningful and valuable connection from psychobiology to the field of molecular genetics. The mouse experiments are both parallel to and integrated with the rat data. Genetically-engineered mutants are used to test specific hypotheses and concepts. These experiments represent both a continuation of past research and a major, integrative effort involving new methods and approaches.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH028355-23
Application #
2890277
Study Section
Psychobiology, Behavior, and Neuroscience Review Committee (PBN)
Program Officer
Oliveri, Mary Ellen
Project Start
1976-06-01
Project End
2003-05-31
Budget Start
1999-06-01
Budget End
2000-05-31
Support Year
23
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Indiana University Bloomington
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
006046700
City
Bloomington
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47401
Kojima, S; Stewart, R A; Demas, G E et al. (2012) Maternal contact differentially modulates central and peripheral oxytocin in rat pups during a brief regime of mother-pup interaction that induces a filial huddling preference. J Neuroendocrinol 24:831-40
Kojima, Sayuri; Alberts, Jeffrey R (2011) Oxytocin mediates the acquisition of filial, odor-guided huddling for maternally-associated odor in preweanling rats. Horm Behav 60:549-58
Kojima, Sayuri; Alberts, Jeffrey R (2011) Warmth from skin-to-skin contact with mother is essential for the acquisition of filial huddling preference in preweanling rats. Dev Psychobiol 53:813-27
Kojima, Sayuri; Alberts, Jeffrey R (2009) Maternal care can rapidly induce an odor-guided huddling preference in rat pups. Dev Psychobiol 51:95-105
Ronca, April E; Abel, Regina A; Alberts, Jeffrey R (2007) Maternal anesthesia via isoflurane or ether differentially affects pre-and postnatal behavior in rat offspring. Dev Psychobiol 49:675-84
Farrell, William J; Alberts, Jeffrey R (2007) Rat behavioral thermoregulation integrates with nonshivering thermogenesis during postnatal development. Behav Neurosci 121:1333-41
Alberts, Jeffrey R (2007) Huddling by rat pups: ontogeny of individual and group behavior. Dev Psychobiol 49:22-32
Ronca, April E; Abel, Regina A; Ronan, Patrick J et al. (2006) Effects of labor contractions on catecholamine release and breathing frequency in newborn rats. Behav Neurosci 120:1308-14
Motz, Benjamin A; Alberts, Jeffrey R (2005) The validity and utility of geotaxis in young rodents. Neurotoxicol Teratol 27:529-33
Alberts, Jeffrey R; Ronca, April E (2005) Development as adaptation: a paradigm for gravitational and space biology. Adv Space Biol Med 10:175-207

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