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Sex similarities and dopaminergic differences in interval timing
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Sex similarities and dopaminergic differences in interval timing

Hannah R Stutt, Matthew A Weber, Rachel C Cole, Alexandra S Bova, Xin Ding, Madison S McMurrin and Nandakumar S Narayanan
Behavioral neuroscience, Vol.138(2), pp.85-93
04/2024
DOI: 10.1037/bne0000577
PMCID: PMC11512544
PMID: 38661668

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Abstract

Rodent behavioral studies have largely focused on male animals, which has limited the generalizability and conclusions of neuroscience research. Working with humans and rodents, we studied sex effects during interval timing that requires participants to estimate an interval of several seconds by making motor responses. Interval timing requires attention to the passage of time and working memory for temporal rules. We found no differences between human females and males in interval timing response times (timing accuracy) or the coefficient of variance of response times (timing precision). Consistent with prior work, we also found no differences between female and male rodents in timing accuracy or precision. In female rodents, there was no difference in interval timing between estrus and diestrus cycle stages. Because dopamine powerfully affects interval timing, we also examined sex differences with drugs targeting dopaminergic receptors. In both female and male rodents, interval timing was delayed after administration of sulpiride (D2-receptor antagonist), quinpirole (D2-receptor agonist), and SCH-23390 (D1-receptor antagonist). By contrast, after administration of SKF-81297 (D1-receptor agonist), interval timing shifted earlier only in male rodents. These data illuminate sex similarities and differences in interval timing. Our results have relevance for rodent models of both cognitive function and brain disease by increasing representation in behavioral neuroscience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
 Adult Animals Benzazepines - pharmacology Dopamine - metabolism Dopamine Agonists - administration & dosage Dopamine Agonists - pharmacology Dopamine Antagonists - administration & dosage Dopamine Antagonists - pharmacology Female Humans Male Memory, Short-Term - drug effects Memory, Short-Term - physiology Quinpirole - pharmacology Rats Reaction Time - drug effects Reaction Time - physiology Receptors, Dopamine D1 - antagonists & inhibitors Receptors, Dopamine D1 - metabolism Receptors, Dopamine D2 - metabolism Sex Characteristics Sulpiride - pharmacology Time Perception - drug effects Time Perception - physiology Young Adult

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