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Panina Yu. A., Lopatina O. L.
Social interaction and anxiety: the role of olfactory stimulation
© PANINA YU. A., LOPATINA O. L.
UDC 364.624.6A612.867.8
DOI: 10.20333/25000136-2022-2-102
Social interaction and anxiety: the role of olfactory stimulation
Yu. A. Panina1, 2' 3, O. L. Lopatina1
1 Prof. V. F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russian Federation
2 Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Krasnoyarsk 6600022, Russian Federation
3 Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Hospital, Krasnoyarsk 6600022, Russian Federation
Abstract. Autism is a neurodevelopment disorder with impaired social communication and stereotypical behavior. Olfactory stimulation has interesting effects. By using the olfactory stimulation we can change social behavior and anxiety in mice. Key words: autism, olfactory stimulation, social behavior, anxiety.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare the absence of obvious and potential conflicts of interest associated with the publication of this article. Citation: Panina YuA, Lopatina OL. Social interaction and anxiety: the role of olfactory stimulation. Siberian Medical Review. 2022;(2):102. DOI: 10.20333/25000136-2022-2-102
Autism is a prenatal disorder in development of the nervous system, the main characteristics of which are impaired social communication and the presence of repetitive and stereotypical behaviour, as well as often other concomitant abnormalities, such as anxiety, memory impairment, eating behaviour, vegetative disorders [1]. It has long been known that the sense of smell is one of the oldest senses. It is also known that due to olfactory stimulation it is possible to change behaviour [2]. But what will be the effect when applied to mice with experimental autism?
The study used laboratory animals: male CD1 mice aged 10 months from the control groups and groups with a model of experimental autism. An experimental model of autism was performed by subcutaneous injection of valproic acid at a dosage of 500 mg/kg to female pregnant mice. An olfactory stimulation was used (successive presentation of water, peanut butter and predators) and after 24 hours was assessed social behaviour (Open field test) and anxiety (Open field test, X-maze test).
Animals with autism and the control group with olfactory stimulation were compared, a tendency of reducing anxiety was revealed (decrease in freezing time in the closed safe parts of the X-maze test) and a significant reduction in the time spent in the peripheral (safe) zone and a decrease in the travelled distance (in meters) in Open field test. When assessing social behaviour was performed, a significant increase in the time spent with a social object and the number of entrances to the zone with it was revealed.
Thus, in assessment of behavioural responses of olfactory stimulation was found a downward trend to
decreasing in anxiety. Olfactory stimulation contributed to a more pronounced response to the appearance of a social object in control group and especially in group with experimental autism.
References
1. Geier DA, Kern JK, Geier MR. A prospective Cross-sectional Cohort Assessment of Health, Physical, and Behavioral Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Maedica (Bucur). 2012;7(3):193-200.
2. Van der Linden CJ, Gupta P, Bhuiya AI, Riddick KR, Hossain L, Santoro SW. Olfactory stimulation regulates the birth of neurons that express specific odorant receptors. Cell Reports. 2020;(33):1-14.
Author information
Yulia A. Panina, Cand. Med. Sci., Associate Professor, Prof. V. F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University; Address: 1, Partizan Zheleznyak Str., Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation 660022; Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry; Address: 1, Partizan Zheleznyak Str., Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation 660022; Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Hospital; Address: 3A, Partizan Zheleznyak Str., Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation 660022; Phone. +7(913)5864256; e-mail: yulia.panina@list.ru, https://orcid. org/0000-0002-8675-3489
Olga L. Lopatina, Dr.Bio.Sci., Professor, Prof. V. F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University; Address: 1, Partizan Zheleznyak Str., Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation 660022; Phone: +7(913)5196622; e-mail: ol.lopatina@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7884-2721
Acknowledgements. This work was supported by a grant from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project 20-015-00472).
Received 16 February 2022 Revision Received 25 February 2022 Accepted H March 2022
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Siberian Medical Review. 2022;(2):102
