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Anxiogenic effect of sleep deprivation in the elevated plus-maze test in mice

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Abstract

Rationale

Several clinical studies demonstrate that the absence of periods of sleep is closely related to occurrence of anxiety symptoms. However, the basis of these interactions is poorly understood. Studies performed with animal models of sleep deprivation and anxiety would be helpful in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship, but some animal studies have not corroborated clinical data, reporting anxiolytic effects of sleep deprivation.

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of different protocols of sleep deprivation in mice tested in the elevated plus-maze and to assess the effect of chlordiazepoxide and clonidine.

Methods

Three-month-old male mice were sleep-deprived for 24 or 72 h using the methods of single or multiple platforms in water tanks. Mice kept in their home cages were used as controls. Plus-maze behavior was observed immediately after the deprivation period.

Results

Mice that were sleep-deprived for 72 h spent a lower percent time in the open arms of the apparatus than control animals. This sleep deprivation-induced anxiety-like behavior was unaffected by treatment with chlordiazepoxide (5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg IP), but reversed by an administration of 5 or 10 μg/kg IP clonidine.

Conclusion

The results indicate that under specific methodological conditions sleep deprivation causes an increase in anxiety-like behavior in mice exposed to the elevated plus-maze.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by fellowship from Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP: proc. CEPID 98/14303-3 and proc. 01/10713-7), from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico CNPq: proc. 522975/95-0), from Fundo de Auxílio ao Docente e Aluno da UNIFESP (FADA) and from Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Psicofarmacologia (AFIP). The authors would like to thank Ms. Teotila R.R. Amaral and Mr. Cleomar S. Ferreira for capable technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Farmacolgia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, Edifício Leal Prado, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Regina H. Silva, Sonia R. Kameda, Rita C. Carvalho, André L. Takatsu-Coleman, Suzy T. Niigaki, Vanessa C. Abílio & Roberto Frussa-Filho

  2. Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, Edifício Leal Prado, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Sergio Tufik

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  1. Regina H. Silva
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  2. Sonia R. Kameda
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  3. Rita C. Carvalho
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  4. André L. Takatsu-Coleman
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  5. Suzy T. Niigaki
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  6. Vanessa C. Abílio
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  7. Sergio Tufik
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  8. Roberto Frussa-Filho
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Correspondence to Regina H. Silva.

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Silva, R.H., Kameda, S.R., Carvalho, R.C. et al. Anxiogenic effect of sleep deprivation in the elevated plus-maze test in mice. Psychopharmacology 176, 115–122 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-1873-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-1873-z

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