ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACT

Abstract

Objective: The behaviors performed by the living being to maintain its health and life are within the scope of self-care. The aim of this study was to investigate self-care behaviors in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation model. Materials-Methods: Adult male 20 Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups (n=10), (Control; LPS). Neuroinflammation was induced with 2 mg/kg LPS. Behavioral tests were performed 6 hours after LPS administration. Open field test was performed to evaluate locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors for 5 minutes. Anhedonia table was analyzed by sucrose preference test. Self-care behaviours were evaluated with 5 minutes spray test. Behaviors were recorded on video and analyzed. Student t-test and Shapiro Wilk test were used as statistical tests. Results: In the neuroinflammation group, piloerection of the hairs was observed in the first 30 minutes and the prostration behavior was observed in the first 50 minutes. In the open field test, the time spent in the central area, rearing, and the total distance traveled decreased (p<0.001). In the splash test, grooming duration and frequency were significantly decreased in the neuroinflammation group (p<0.001). Grooming latency was prolonged (p<0.001). In the 24-hour sucrose preference test, the total amount of sucrose water consumed decreased below 65% in the LPS group. Conclusions: In the present study, grooming behavior, which is a self-care behavior, was negatively affected in subjects with the neuroinflammation model. Self-grooming-cleaning behavior triggered by splashing sugar water was severely decreased. In addition, locomotor activity decreased and anxiety-like behaviors increased. Anhedonia-like behaviours increased in the subjects. This preclinical study will pave the way for new studies.