A Novel Model of Effects of a Sudden Reduction in Social Enrichment on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder-Related Behaviors

Authors: Gabriel Bagatell, Deborah Kreiss, Travis Bohnke, Yana Serjantov

SUNY Campus: Binghamton University

Presentation Type: Oral

Location: UUW 324

Presentation #: 1

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by anxiety, persistent/intrusive thoughts, and repetitive behaviors performed in an attempt to reduce distress. OCD symptom severity drastically increased with the limited social interactions associated with the COVID-19 lockdowns. This study aimed to evaluate a novel rat model simulating the effects of sudden social enrichment removal on OCD-like behaviors. To accomplish this, both male (n=28) and female rats (n=28) were exposed to five weeks (Day 33-73) of high social enrichment, which included daily handling sessions and ‘playdates’ with 13 other rats four times per week. For the four weeks following (Day 74-112), experimental rats were abruptly deprived of these social interactions, while the control rats continued to experience high social enrichment. The effects of removal of high social enrichment on OCD-like behaviors were assessed through arm choice in an Elevated T-Maze and grooming in an Open Field. Results indicated that the removal of social enrichment increased repetitive behaviors in both male and female rats. These findings suggest that a sudden reduction of social enrichment exacerbates the expression of OCD-like behaviors, thereby supporting the face validity of this novel model. This experimental paradigm may serve as a valuable tool for further investigation of the mechanisms underlying OCD, the role of social interaction, and the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for this debilitating disorder.