Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115208
Ana Patricia Orozco-Coles, Tania Campos-Ordoñez, Jonathan Buriticá
Reversal learning is the ability to modify responses based on changes in stimulus-outcome contingencies. Behavioral flexibility is crucial for adaptive behavior in dynamic environments, where organisms must suppress previously acquired responses and adopt new strategies to survive. In this study, we compared two mouse strains: C57BL/6 (inbred) mice, which offer genetic uniformity, and CD1 (outbred) mice, providing genetic diversity. Mice were tested in the mid-session reversal (MSR) task under three conditions: fixed reversal with 100% reinforcement (F100), variable reversal with 100% reinforcement (V100), and variable reversal with 50% reinforcement (V50). To account for prior experience, phases 1 and 2 were counterbalanced across subjects. Both strains completed the MSR task but showed distinct response profiles. CD1 mice showed consistent adaptation across reversal conditions (F100 and V100), maintaining high accuracy. Under reduced reinforcement predictability (V50), both strains showed increased variability, indicating diminished stimulus control. Individuals from both strains employ a mix of win-stay/lose-shift (WSLS) and temporal strategies; however, these do not always yield optimal results, indicating that their responses are driven by a blend of tactics rather than fixed rules. Notably, the order of conditions had a greater effect on C57BL/6 mice, suggesting increased sensitivity to task order. These findings highlight the influence of genetic background and reinforcement structure on reversal learning. Strain-specific profiles should be considered when selecting models for research on cognitive flexibility, reinforcement sensitivity, and translational studies related to decision-making under uncertainty.
{"title":"Genetic background and reversal learning: differences in behavioral flexibility between CD1 and C57BL/6 strains in the mid-session reversal task.","authors":"Ana Patricia Orozco-Coles, Tania Campos-Ordoñez, Jonathan Buriticá","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115208","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reversal learning is the ability to modify responses based on changes in stimulus-outcome contingencies. Behavioral flexibility is crucial for adaptive behavior in dynamic environments, where organisms must suppress previously acquired responses and adopt new strategies to survive. In this study, we compared two mouse strains: C57BL/6 (inbred) mice, which offer genetic uniformity, and CD1 (outbred) mice, providing genetic diversity. Mice were tested in the mid-session reversal (MSR) task under three conditions: fixed reversal with 100% reinforcement (F100), variable reversal with 100% reinforcement (V100), and variable reversal with 50% reinforcement (V50). To account for prior experience, phases 1 and 2 were counterbalanced across subjects. Both strains completed the MSR task but showed distinct response profiles. CD1 mice showed consistent adaptation across reversal conditions (F100 and V100), maintaining high accuracy. Under reduced reinforcement predictability (V50), both strains showed increased variability, indicating diminished stimulus control. Individuals from both strains employ a mix of win-stay/lose-shift (WSLS) and temporal strategies; however, these do not always yield optimal results, indicating that their responses are driven by a blend of tactics rather than fixed rules. Notably, the order of conditions had a greater effect on C57BL/6 mice, suggesting increased sensitivity to task order. These findings highlight the influence of genetic background and reinforcement structure on reversal learning. Strain-specific profiles should be considered when selecting models for research on cognitive flexibility, reinforcement sensitivity, and translational studies related to decision-making under uncertainty.</p>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":" ","pages":"115208"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145794647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115207
Gary J. Farkas , Paige M. Cunningham , Arthur S. Berg , George Jimsheleishvili , Armando J. Mendez , David R. Gater Jr. , Mark S. Nash , Barbara J. Rolls
Overeating associated with neurogenic obesity in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) may reflect disruptions in gastrointestinal transit, satiety hormone responses, and appetite regulation. In this pilot study, 16 men with SCI (50 % tetraplegia) and 16 controls without SCI consumed standardized meals (195 g and 390 g) during 2 different laboratory visits. Gastrointestinal (GI) motility was measured using the SmartPill Wireless Motility Capsule during the first visit, while postprandial levels of GI peptides, glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were assessed during the second. Ratings of hunger and satiety were collected pre- and post-prandially in both visits. SCI participants exhibited GI dysmotility and exaggerated glycemic and lipemic excursions (all, p < 0.05) consistent with delayed GI transit. Associations between GI peptides and ratings of hunger and satiety were weaker in SCI, including attenuated ghrelin-hunger and GLP-1-fullness coupling (p < 0.05). Instead, fullness was more strongly associated with glucose in SCI (p < 0.05), indicating a potential shift toward glycemic cues in appetite regulation. The association between insulin and GLP-1 was stronger in SCI, consistent with a possible compensatory incretin signaling in response to impaired metabolic regulation. Together, these findings suggest disrupted gut-brain and metabolic signaling in SCI may impair appetite regulation, highlighting the need to further investigate gut-brain communication in relation to food intake.
{"title":"Gastrointestinal dysmotility and impaired gut peptide-satiety coupling in men with spinal cord injury","authors":"Gary J. Farkas , Paige M. Cunningham , Arthur S. Berg , George Jimsheleishvili , Armando J. Mendez , David R. Gater Jr. , Mark S. Nash , Barbara J. Rolls","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115207","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115207","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Overeating associated with neurogenic obesity in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) may reflect disruptions in gastrointestinal transit, satiety hormone responses, and appetite regulation. In this pilot study, 16 men with SCI (50 % tetraplegia) and 16 controls without SCI consumed standardized meals (195 g and 390 g) during 2 different laboratory visits. Gastrointestinal (GI) motility was measured using the SmartPill Wireless Motility Capsule during the first visit, while postprandial levels of GI peptides, glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were assessed during the second. Ratings of hunger and satiety were collected pre- and post-prandially in both visits. SCI participants exhibited GI dysmotility and exaggerated glycemic and lipemic excursions (all, <em>p</em> < 0.05) consistent with delayed GI transit. Associations between GI peptides and ratings of hunger and satiety were weaker in SCI, including attenuated ghrelin-hunger and GLP-1-fullness coupling (p < 0.05). Instead, fullness was more strongly associated with glucose in SCI (<em>p</em> < 0.05), indicating a potential shift toward glycemic cues in appetite regulation. The association between insulin and GLP-1 was stronger in SCI, consistent with a possible compensatory incretin signaling in response to impaired metabolic regulation. Together, these findings suggest disrupted gut-brain and metabolic signaling in SCI may impair appetite regulation, highlighting the need to further investigate gut-brain communication in relation to food intake.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 115207"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145775372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Circadian rhythm, eating attitudes, and stress responses are important determinants of well-being among university students. This study hypothesized that circadian rhythm characteristics would be associated with emotional eating, healthy nutrition attitudes, and salivary cortisol levels. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated the associations between chronotype, sleep patterns, eating behaviors, and cortisol concentrations among 213 university students (131 nursing; 82 nutrition and dietetics). Data were collected using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ-TR), and the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN). Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and salivary cortisol concentrations were analyzed using ELISA. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and one-way ANOVA tests. The mean salivary cortisol concentration among students was 69.713 ± 3.408 ng/mL. Students reporting lower stress levels exhibited lower cortisol concentrations (p = 0.025), while cortisol did not differ significantly by gender, department, chronotype, BMI, or exercise status (p > 0.05). Emotional eating scores were significantly higher among students with intermediate chronotypes and those with irregular or occasionally regular sleep patterns (p < 0.05), whereas nutrition and dietetics students demonstrated more positive healthy nutrition attitudes than nursing students (75.52 ± 10.80 vs. 70.65± 10.08; p = 0.001). These findings reflect associations rather than causal relationships, and they highlight the relevance of circadian rhythm characteristics and perceived stress in understanding emotional eating tendencies and health-related attitudes among university students. Promoting sleep regularity, stress management, and nutrition education may support healthier behavioral patterns in this population.
{"title":"The effect of circadian rhythm and cortisol levels on health nutrition attitudes, emotional eating, and anthropometric measurements in university students","authors":"Gamze Demirel , Zeynep BAL Ayyildiz , Zeynep Burcu Kahraman , Selma İnfal Kesim","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115205","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115205","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Circadian rhythm, eating attitudes, and stress responses are important determinants of well-being among university students. This study hypothesized that circadian rhythm characteristics would be associated with emotional eating, healthy nutrition attitudes, and salivary cortisol levels. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated the associations between chronotype, sleep patterns, eating behaviors, and cortisol concentrations among 213 university students (131 nursing; 82 nutrition and dietetics). Data were collected using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ-TR), and the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN). Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and salivary cortisol concentrations were analyzed using ELISA. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and one-way ANOVA tests. The mean salivary cortisol concentration among students was 69.713 ± 3.408 ng/mL. Students reporting lower stress levels exhibited lower cortisol concentrations (<em>p</em> = 0.025), while cortisol did not differ significantly by gender, department, chronotype, BMI, or exercise status (<em>p</em> > 0.05). Emotional eating scores were significantly higher among students with intermediate chronotypes and those with irregular or occasionally regular sleep patterns (<em>p</em> < 0.05), whereas nutrition and dietetics students demonstrated more positive healthy nutrition attitudes than nursing students (75.52 ± 10.80 vs. 70.65± 10.08; <em>p</em> = 0.001). These findings reflect associations rather than causal relationships<u>,</u> and they highlight the relevance of circadian rhythm characteristics and perceived stress in understanding emotional eating tendencies and health-related attitudes among university students. Promoting sleep regularity, stress management, and nutrition education may support healthier behavioral patterns in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 115205"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145775417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-13DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115206
Rebecca M. Craft, Alexa R. Calvert, Faith Spencer, Michael M. Morgan
Health-related organizations have called for broadening biomedical research to include gender-diverse individuals. The present study tested the validity of an animal model of gender affirming testosterone therapy that may be useful for determining the impact of hormonal transition on a variety of health outcomes in both adolescents and adults. Blank or testosterone-filled capsules were implanted s.c. into gonadally intact adolescent (post-natal day 43) and adult (post-natal day 92) female rats. Body weight, estrous cycling, and home cage wheel running were recorded for 3 weeks; other physiological indices of defeminization and masculinization were assessed 29–30 days after capsule implantation. Testosterone treatment at male-typical levels suppressed estrous cycling and uterine weight, increased body weight and lean mass, and increased low density lipoprotein levels in both adolescents and adults. Testosterone increased clitoral gland size in adolescents. In contrast, wheel running was not significantly altered by testosterone. Results suggest that testosterone exposure at male-typical levels in gonadally intact female rats – whether adolescent or adult at the initiation of treatment – is a valid model of gender affirming testosterone therapy in terms of hormone impact on a variety of physiological measures. This model can thus provide a clinically relevant avenue for advancing transgender medicine.
{"title":"Continuous testosterone exposure alters body weight, lean mass, estrous cycling and lipid profile, but not wheel running in adolescent or adult female rats","authors":"Rebecca M. Craft, Alexa R. Calvert, Faith Spencer, Michael M. Morgan","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115206","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115206","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Health-related organizations have called for broadening biomedical research to include gender-diverse individuals. The present study tested the validity of an animal model of gender affirming testosterone therapy that may be useful for determining the impact of hormonal transition on a variety of health outcomes in both adolescents and adults. Blank or testosterone-filled capsules were implanted s.c. into gonadally intact adolescent (post-natal day 43) and adult (post-natal day 92) female rats. Body weight, estrous cycling, and home cage wheel running were recorded for 3 weeks; other physiological indices of defeminization and masculinization were assessed 29–30 days after capsule implantation. Testosterone treatment at male-typical levels suppressed estrous cycling and uterine weight, increased body weight and lean mass, and increased low density lipoprotein levels in both adolescents and adults. Testosterone increased clitoral gland size in adolescents. In contrast, wheel running was not significantly altered by testosterone. Results suggest that testosterone exposure at male-typical levels in gonadally intact female rats – whether adolescent or adult at the initiation of treatment – is a valid model of gender affirming testosterone therapy in terms of hormone impact on a variety of physiological measures. This model can thus provide a clinically relevant avenue for advancing transgender medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 115206"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145763434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115203
Diego Fernández-Lázaro, Manuel Garrosa, Gema Santamaría, Enrique Roche, José María Izquierdo, Jesús Seco-Calvo, Juan Mielgo-Ayuso
Background: The influence of sexual activity prior to exercise on athletic performance remains controversial. While pre-competition abstinence is commonly advised, scientific evidence on its physiological impact is limited and inconsistent.
Methods: A randomized crossover study was conducted in 21 well-trained male athletes (age 22 ± 1 y) to compare the acute effects of masturbation-induced orgasm versus sexual abstinence performed 30 min before testing. Each participant completed an incremental cycling test and an isometric handgrip strength test under both conditions. Blood samples were analyzed for muscle damage (CK, LDH, Mb), inflammatory (CRP, IL-6), and hormonal (testosterone, cortisol, LH) markers.
Results: Compared with abstinence, the post-masturbation condition resulted in a longer exercise duration (+3.2%, p < 0.01) and higher heart rate (p < 0.001), accompanied by a small increase in mean handgrip strength (p < 0.05). Lower plasma LDH levels (p < 0.001) indicated reduced muscle stress. Testosterone and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher (both p < 0.001), whereas inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6) showed no significant change.
Conclusions: Masturbation 30 min before exercise elicited mild sympathetic and hormonal activation without detrimental effects on performance or muscle damage. These findings suggest that pre-exercise sexual activity does not impair athletic capacity in trained men, challenging the long-standing myth of mandatory abstinence before competition.
{"title":"Sexual activity before exercise influences physiological response and sports performance in high-level trained men athletes.","authors":"Diego Fernández-Lázaro, Manuel Garrosa, Gema Santamaría, Enrique Roche, José María Izquierdo, Jesús Seco-Calvo, Juan Mielgo-Ayuso","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The influence of sexual activity prior to exercise on athletic performance remains controversial. While pre-competition abstinence is commonly advised, scientific evidence on its physiological impact is limited and inconsistent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A randomized crossover study was conducted in 21 well-trained male athletes (age 22 ± 1 y) to compare the acute effects of masturbation-induced orgasm versus sexual abstinence performed 30 min before testing. Each participant completed an incremental cycling test and an isometric handgrip strength test under both conditions. Blood samples were analyzed for muscle damage (CK, LDH, Mb), inflammatory (CRP, IL-6), and hormonal (testosterone, cortisol, LH) markers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with abstinence, the post-masturbation condition resulted in a longer exercise duration (+3.2%, p < 0.01) and higher heart rate (p < 0.001), accompanied by a small increase in mean handgrip strength (p < 0.05). Lower plasma LDH levels (p < 0.001) indicated reduced muscle stress. Testosterone and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher (both p < 0.001), whereas inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6) showed no significant change.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Masturbation 30 min before exercise elicited mild sympathetic and hormonal activation without detrimental effects on performance or muscle damage. These findings suggest that pre-exercise sexual activity does not impair athletic capacity in trained men, challenging the long-standing myth of mandatory abstinence before competition.</p>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":" ","pages":"115203"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145752085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Endocannabinoid (eCB) systems have been implicated in the development of stress-induced anxiety. In this study, we investigated the changes in eCB levels in the mouse brain due to restraint stress. In addition, we examined the effects of eCB-degrading enzyme inhibitors on anxiety-like behavior in restraint-stressed mice. For restraint stress, the mice were immobilized in a 50 ml syringe with holes for airflow for 30 min. After restraint stress, the contents of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) were measured via UPLC‒MS/MS. Immediately after restraint stress, 2-AG content was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC). Similarly, AEA content was decreased in the PFC and HC, although 2-AG and AEA contents did not change in the striatum, periamygdaloid cortex or medulla oblongata. On the other hand, at both 30 and 60 min after restraint stress, 2-AG content was significantly increased in the PFC and HC. However, AEA content remained reduced in the PFC for up to 30 min after stress exposure, but the significant reduction was no longer observed at 60 min. In the elevated plus-maze test, the time spent in the open arms decreased in restraint-stressed mice, which indicated the occurrence of anxiogenic behavior. This anxiogenic behavior was ameliorated by the administration of JZL184 (a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor) or URB597. (a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor) These results suggest that eCB levels are highly responsive to time-dependent and brain region-specific changes in response to acute stress stimuli. Furthermore, restraint stress induces anxiogenic behavior, which is ameliorated by inhibitors of eCB-degrading enzymes. These findings indicate that the reduction in eCB levels in the PFC and HC may be due to the development of stress-induced anxiety.
{"title":"Alteration of brain endocannabinoids on restraint stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice","authors":"Ryo Fukumori, Kanan Ueo, Ryosuke Nakashima, Taku Yamaguchi","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115201","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115201","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Endocannabinoid (eCB) systems have been implicated in the development of stress-induced anxiety. In this study, we investigated the changes in eCB levels in the mouse brain due to restraint stress. In addition, we examined the effects of eCB-degrading enzyme inhibitors on anxiety-like behavior in restraint-stressed mice. For restraint stress, the mice were immobilized in a 50 ml syringe with holes for airflow for 30 min. After restraint stress, the contents of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and <em>N</em>-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) were measured via UPLC‒MS/MS. Immediately after restraint stress, 2-AG content was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC). Similarly, AEA content was decreased in the PFC and HC, although 2-AG and AEA contents did not change in the striatum, periamygdaloid cortex or medulla oblongata. On the other hand, at both 30 and 60 min after restraint stress, 2-AG content was significantly increased in the PFC and HC. However, AEA content remained reduced in the PFC for up to 30 min after stress exposure, but the significant reduction was no longer observed at 60 min. In the elevated plus-maze test, the time spent in the open arms decreased in restraint-stressed mice, which indicated the occurrence of anxiogenic behavior. This anxiogenic behavior was ameliorated by the administration of JZL184 (a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor) or URB597. (a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor) These results suggest that eCB levels are highly responsive to time-dependent and brain region-specific changes in response to acute stress stimuli. Furthermore, restraint stress induces anxiogenic behavior, which is ameliorated by inhibitors of eCB-degrading enzymes. These findings indicate that the reduction in eCB levels in the PFC and HC may be due to the development of stress-induced anxiety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 115201"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145752025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115204
Xiao-Yan Huang , Nian-Nian Wang , Jing Zhou , Rui Su , Hao Li , Hai-Lin Ma , Ming Liu , De-Long Zhang
Indigenous Tibetans have developed documented physiological and neuroanatomical adaptations to high-altitude environments. However, the functional dynamics of their cognitive processing at such altitudes remain poorly characterized. To address this gap, we employed a visual search paradigm with high-temporal-resolution electroencephalography (EEG) to examine stimulus-driven attention (SDA) and goal-directed attention (GDA) in high-altitude Tibetans, with sea-level Han participants as a comparison group. Tibetans exhibited a “slow but steady” attentional pattern: despite longer reaction times (RTs), accuracy remained high (>95 %) and was comparable to that of Han controls in both attention types. This behavioral pattern in the Tibetan group was accompanied by distinctive late‑stage neural dynamics, reflected by smaller late positive potential (LPP) and late posterior negativity (LPN) and by lower theta‑band (4 - 10 Hz) event-related synchronization (ERS) during SDA, as well as smaller LPP during GDA. Source localization of the effects observed in these event-related potential (ERP) components and theta‑band ERS indicated predominant involvement of posterior midline and control-related regions in Han participants, whereas Tibetans showed greater engagement of motor‑related regions. These findings likely reflect an energy-efficient cognitive strategy for high-altitude adaptation. This study refines understanding of cognitive plasticity in extreme environments and provides electrophysiological foundations to inform interventions for high-altitude populations.
{"title":"An energy-efficient cognitive strategy? Neurophysiological dynamics of “slow but steady” attention in high-altitude Tibetans","authors":"Xiao-Yan Huang , Nian-Nian Wang , Jing Zhou , Rui Su , Hao Li , Hai-Lin Ma , Ming Liu , De-Long Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115204","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115204","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Indigenous Tibetans have developed documented physiological and neuroanatomical adaptations to high-altitude environments. However, the functional dynamics of their cognitive processing at such altitudes remain poorly characterized. To address this gap, we employed a visual search paradigm with high-temporal-resolution electroencephalography (EEG) to examine stimulus-driven attention (SDA) and goal-directed attention (GDA) in high-altitude Tibetans, with sea-level Han participants as a comparison group. Tibetans exhibited a “slow but steady” attentional pattern: despite longer reaction times (RTs), accuracy remained high (>95 %) and was comparable to that of Han controls in both attention types. This behavioral pattern in the Tibetan group was accompanied by distinctive late‑stage neural dynamics, reflected by smaller late positive potential (LPP) and late posterior negativity (LPN) and by lower theta‑band (4 - 10 Hz) event-related synchronization (ERS) during SDA, as well as smaller LPP during GDA. Source localization of the effects observed in these event-related potential (ERP) components and theta‑band ERS indicated predominant involvement of posterior midline and control-related regions in Han participants, whereas Tibetans showed greater engagement of motor‑related regions. These findings likely reflect an energy-efficient cognitive strategy for high-altitude adaptation. This study refines understanding of cognitive plasticity in extreme environments and provides electrophysiological foundations to inform interventions for high-altitude populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 115204"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145752099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children, presents with core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, along with frequent comorbid learning and memory dysfunction. Emerging evidence implicates hippocampal dysfunction in ADHD-related learning and memory deficits, with BAIAP2 (brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1-associated protein 2) emerging as a critical molecular player. While BAIAP2 has been independently associated with synaptic plasticity and ADHD pathogenesis, its specific role in ADHD-associated learning and memory impairment remains unexplored. Using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we demonstrated significantly reduced hippocampal BAIAP2 expression compared to controls. Notably, methylphenidate (MPH) treatment increased BAIAP2 levels, while targeted BAIAP2 overexpression rescued learning and memory deficits, as evidenced by Morris water maze (MWZ) performance. Furthermore, we preliminarily explored the possible regulatory interactions between BAIAP2 and the long non-coding RNA lncNONRATT002035.2. These findings establish BAIAP2 as a pivotal mediator of hippocampal-dependent learning and memory dysfunction in ADHD and uncovered new aspects of disease pathology and potential targets for therapy.The newly discovered lncNONRATT002035.2-BAIAP2 axis warrants further investigation to elucidate its pathophysiological significance.
{"title":"Preliminary exploration of the role and mechanism of BAIAP2 in learning and memory impairment in ADHD.","authors":"Tian Tian, Yang Wang, Xu Xu, Jing Li, Jingbo Feng, Youfang Hu, Qi jiRong","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115202","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115202","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children, presents with core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, along with frequent comorbid learning and memory dysfunction. Emerging evidence implicates hippocampal dysfunction in ADHD-related learning and memory deficits, with BAIAP2 (brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1-associated protein 2) emerging as a critical molecular player. While BAIAP2 has been independently associated with synaptic plasticity and ADHD pathogenesis, its specific role in ADHD-associated learning and memory impairment remains unexplored. Using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we demonstrated significantly reduced hippocampal BAIAP2 expression compared to controls. Notably, methylphenidate (MPH) treatment increased BAIAP2 levels, while targeted BAIAP2 overexpression rescued learning and memory deficits, as evidenced by Morris water maze (MWZ) performance. Furthermore, we preliminarily explored the possible regulatory interactions between BAIAP2 and the long non-coding RNA lncNONRATT002035.2. These findings establish BAIAP2 as a pivotal mediator of hippocampal-dependent learning and memory dysfunction in ADHD and uncovered new aspects of disease pathology and potential targets for therapy.The newly discovered lncNONRATT002035.2-BAIAP2 axis warrants further investigation to elucidate its pathophysiological significance.</p>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":" ","pages":"115202"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145743927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
To evaluate the combined effect of physical activity (PA) and time-restricted eating (TRE) at different times of day (early (ETRE) versus late (LTRE) TRE) on eating behavior, cognitive performance, and cardiovascular parameters in women living with overweight or obesity. Sixty one women were randomized into four groups: ETRE combined with PA (ETRE-PA, n=15, 31.8 ±10.76 years, 89.68 ± 13.40 kg, 33.5 ± 5.53 kg/m²), LTRE combined with PA (LTRE-PA, n=15, 30.60 ± 7.94 years, 94.45 ± 15.36 kg, 34.37 ± 7.09 kg/m²), LTRE alone (LTRE, n=15, 27.93 ± 9.79 years, 88.32 ± 10.36 kg, 32.71 ± 5.15 kg/m²) and a control group (CG, n=16, 36.25 ± 11.52 years, 89.01 ± 11.68 kg, 33.66 ± 6.18 kg/m²). In the post-intervention assessment (T1), ETRE-PA showed a significant reduction in eating disorder global scores compared with LTRE (p=0.01) and CG (p<0.0005). In addition, ETRE-PA demonstrated greater vigilance performance compared with LTRE-PA (p=0.003), LTRE (p<0.0005), and CG (p<0.0005) in T1. Both ETRE-PA and LTRE-PA enhanced global cognition compared with LTRE and CG (p<0.0005) in T1. For cardiometabolic outcomes, ETRE-PA improved oxygen saturation compared with LTRE (p=0.005) and CG (p=0.03). Resting heart rate was reduced in both ETRE-PA and LTRE-PA compared with LTRE (p=0.009 and p=0.03, respectively). Combining ETRE with PA produced greater improvements in eating behavior, cognitive function, oxygen saturation, and cardiometabolic health than LTRE-PA, LTRE, or CG. These findings highlight the importance of aligning dietary timing with exercise to optimize health outcomes in women living with excess body weight.
{"title":"The combination of physical activity and late-time-restricted eating improves eating behavior, cognitive performance and cardiovascular parameters in women living with excess body weight.","authors":"Sarra Miladi, Omar Hammouda, Samar J Miladi Trabelsi, Sirine C Miladi, Ranya Ameur, Tarak Driss","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115200","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115200","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To evaluate the combined effect of physical activity (PA) and time-restricted eating (TRE) at different times of day (early (ETRE) versus late (LTRE) TRE) on eating behavior, cognitive performance, and cardiovascular parameters in women living with overweight or obesity. Sixty one women were randomized into four groups: ETRE combined with PA (ETRE-PA, n=15, 31.8 ±10.76 years, 89.68 ± 13.40 kg, 33.5 ± 5.53 kg/m²), LTRE combined with PA (LTRE-PA, n=15, 30.60 ± 7.94 years, 94.45 ± 15.36 kg, 34.37 ± 7.09 kg/m²), LTRE alone (LTRE, n=15, 27.93 ± 9.79 years, 88.32 ± 10.36 kg, 32.71 ± 5.15 kg/m²) and a control group (CG, n=16, 36.25 ± 11.52 years, 89.01 ± 11.68 kg, 33.66 ± 6.18 kg/m²). In the post-intervention assessment (T1), ETRE-PA showed a significant reduction in eating disorder global scores compared with LTRE (p=0.01) and CG (p<0.0005). In addition, ETRE-PA demonstrated greater vigilance performance compared with LTRE-PA (p=0.003), LTRE (p<0.0005), and CG (p<0.0005) in T1. Both ETRE-PA and LTRE-PA enhanced global cognition compared with LTRE and CG (p<0.0005) in T1. For cardiometabolic outcomes, ETRE-PA improved oxygen saturation compared with LTRE (p=0.005) and CG (p=0.03). Resting heart rate was reduced in both ETRE-PA and LTRE-PA compared with LTRE (p=0.009 and p=0.03, respectively). Combining ETRE with PA produced greater improvements in eating behavior, cognitive function, oxygen saturation, and cardiometabolic health than LTRE-PA, LTRE, or CG. These findings highlight the importance of aligning dietary timing with exercise to optimize health outcomes in women living with excess body weight.</p>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":" ","pages":"115200"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145743912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chronic sleep deprivation (CSD), particularly during pregnancy, profoundly impacts maternal and offspring health, driving cognitive, emotional, and physiological disturbances across generations. This review explores the behavioral, neurobiological, and epigenetic consequences of maternal sleep deprivation (MSD), highlighting its mechanisms and transgenerational effects. SD disrupts maternal hormonal balance, elevates stress responses, and compromises neurogenesis, leading to altered maternal behaviors and poor offspring outcomes. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, mediate the transference of SD effects, amplifying risks of anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits in offspring. These changes impair hippocampal plasticity and immune regulation, exacerbating neuroinflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. Male offspring show heightened sensitivity to metabolic and neurodevelopmental disruptions, indicating a gender-specific vulnerability. Therapeutic strategies such as melatonin supplementation, enriched environments, and nonpharmacological interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) demonstrate potential in mitigating these effects. Promoting maternal sleep hygiene and addressing socioeconomic disparities further protect against adverse outcomes. Emerging evidence underscores the importance of maternal health and lifestyle, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions during pregnancy. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to elucidate the mechanisms linking maternal SD to offspring neurodevelopment, evaluate preventive strategies, and address existing gaps in understanding transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Enhancing maternal well-being through integrated care approaches is essential to improving long-term health outcomes for mothers and their children.
{"title":"Transgenerational effects of sleep deprivation: Behavioral and epigenetic implications for maternal and offspring health","authors":"Harsha Satyapal , Nitu Wankhede , Akanksha Yadav , Sandip Rahangdale , Manish Aglawe , Brijesh Taksande , Samhith Koppula , Milind Umekar , Mayur Kale","doi":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115199","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115199","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic sleep deprivation (CSD), particularly during pregnancy, profoundly impacts maternal and offspring health, driving cognitive, emotional, and physiological disturbances across generations. This review explores the behavioral, neurobiological, and epigenetic consequences of maternal sleep deprivation (MSD), highlighting its mechanisms and transgenerational effects. SD disrupts maternal hormonal balance, elevates stress responses, and compromises neurogenesis, leading to altered maternal behaviors and poor offspring outcomes. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, mediate the transference of SD effects, amplifying risks of anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits in offspring. These changes impair hippocampal plasticity and immune regulation, exacerbating neuroinflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. Male offspring show heightened sensitivity to metabolic and neurodevelopmental disruptions, indicating a gender-specific vulnerability. Therapeutic strategies such as melatonin supplementation, enriched environments, and nonpharmacological interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) demonstrate potential in mitigating these effects. Promoting maternal sleep hygiene and addressing socioeconomic disparities further protect against adverse outcomes. Emerging evidence underscores the importance of maternal health and lifestyle, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions during pregnancy. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to elucidate the mechanisms linking maternal SD to offspring neurodevelopment, evaluate preventive strategies, and address existing gaps in understanding transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Enhancing maternal well-being through integrated care approaches is essential to improving long-term health outcomes for mothers and their children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20201,"journal":{"name":"Physiology & Behavior","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 115199"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145687851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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