Elucidation of the neural basis for nutritional approaches to stereotypic behavior

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K13494
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 08030:Family and consumer sciences, and culture and living-related
• Research Institution: Azabu University (2023); Setsunan University (2021-2022)
• Principal Investigator: IKEDA Hiromi 麻布大学, 獣医学部, 講師 (80846311)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 常同行動 / 3D撮影試験 / 3次元深度センサ / 遊離アミノ酸 / D-アミノ酸 / NMDA受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It was suggested that there may be a factor involved in the motivation behind stereotypic behavior. Furthermore, when mice were subjected to long-term isolation stress, the amount of activity and anxiety-like behavior increased in the BALB/c isolation stress group.
In addition to these data, analysis was carried out using 3D photography tests, but the method for analyzing stereotypic behavior has not yet been established. Therefore, the need to verify the analysis method remains an issue. I plan to conclude that there is a relationship between the results of the stereotypic behavior analysis and anxiety-like behavior. Furthermore, as I was unable to identify the neural basis, I will continue my research in the future.

Free Research Field

動物行動学・動物栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

精神疾患にはストレスを受けることによる環境的要因や遺伝的要因での発症がある。自閉症、統合失調症や注意欠如・多動性障害(ADHD)などが挙げられるが、その症状は様々である。これらの精神疾患に共通して確認される行動が常同行動である。常同行動とは、ある一定の行動が増える異常行動であり、同じ場所を過剰に動き回ることや、自己を傷つけ続ける自傷行為などがある。しかしながら、常同行動の詳細なメカニズムに関しては未解明である。本研究では普段から摂取可能な栄養因子に よる常同行動の制御が可能な経路を新規探索し見いだすことで、予防や緩和に繋げることが期待できる。