Model choice in behavioral neuroscience is often driven by convenience and established research pipelines, contributing to a persistent reliance on murine species. Although rodents are essential for discovery, their limited alignment with human brain architecture and clinical technologies can constrain translational inference. Here, we argue that the pig (Sus scrofa) is an underutilized large-animal model with substantial translational value due to its gyrencephalic brain, human-relevant physiology, and compatibility with clinical imaging and neurotechnology. We review evidence that pigs can support rigorous cognitive and behavioral testing, including spatial learning, recognition memory, and executive function, and we frame pigs as a cross-species replication and scaling platform for testing the generality of canonical brain-behavior relationships. We also outline ethical challenges, practical barriers, and infrastructure considerations relevant to laboratories adopting porcine behavioral neuroscience, including housing, handling, monitoring, regulatory oversight, surgical support, and growth-related design constraints. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Previous research identified age-related changes in the parametric modulation of neural activity by emotional memory vividness. Within the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC), older adults showed a stronger relationship between neural recruitment and positive memory vividness, whereas younger adults showed a stronger relationship for negative memories. More work is needed to corroborate these Age × Valence interactions while clarifying if they are uniquely sensitive to vividness ratings made after an instructed elaboration period or predictive of how vividness ratings might change from initial recognition to postelaboration. The present study assessed a new sample of participants (n = 60, ages 18-87) who completed a nearly identical paradigm as in previous work. Participants encoded emotional images paired with neutral titles and, during scanned retrieval, were presented with only the neutral titles in an old/new recognition task. Remembered titles were rated on the initial vividness of recollection for the paired image and a second rating of vividness after instructed elaboration. Results confirmed prefrontally mediated alterations to emotional memory phenomenology across the adult lifespan, evidenced by age-related increases in the relationship between PFC activity and positive memory vividness. During initial memory recognition, greater dorsomedial PFC activity among older adults predicted a subsequent increase in positive memory vividness after elaboration. Opposite patterns emerged in posterior sensorimotor and occipital regions that deactivated more strongly for vivid positive memories among older adults. These findings corroborate prior evidence of Age × Valence interactions in parametric modulation by vividness while also providing new evidence for a preparatory role of the PFC in shaping elaboration outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Older adults frequently report difficulties with community wayfinding, which may be exacerbated by age-related mobility decline; however, the intersection of these processes to support navigation as a fundamental behavior for independent functioning is poorly understood. Beyond impaired locomotion, preclinical mobility decline among middle-aged and older adults is associated with cognitive decline that may affect wayfinding. The present study examined associations of mobility, grip strength as an indicator of frailty risk, multidomain cognition, and wayfinding performance on a seated virtual navigation paradigm, along with self-reported strategy preference, in a sample of 74 healthy, cognitively normal (Mini-Mental State Examination; M = 28.76, SD = 0.95) middle-aged and older adults (aged 53-89 years; M = 70.82, SD = 8; 70.3% female). Worse mobility was associated with poorer memory for environmental details. This association was partially mediated by domain-specific cognition, and processing speed had the largest unique contribution. Weaker grip strength-reflecting increased frailty risk-was associated with worse navigation efficiency in locating the hidden platform during the task, and this effect was largely independent of other cognitive correlates. Mobility and frailty risk were associated with self-reported navigation strategy preference in the real world. Individual differences in visuospatial immediate recall and delayed associative recall contributed to this association, although mediation was not supported. Taken together, mobility and frailty risk were differentially associated with wayfinding deficits in aging, which was partially shared with domain-specific cognition. Continued study can explore mobility and frailty as modifiable risk factors to maintain wayfinding ability and promote independence into late life. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has become a widespread problem that is highly prevalent in adolescent population. Previous studies suggest that PSU is associated with impairment in reward processing system. Thus, increased sensitivity to rewards could make individuals more vulnerable to abusive behaviors, such as PSU. However, little is known about its underlying neural mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of reward and punishment processing in adolescents with PSU by evaluating the hemodynamic responses to monetary gains and losses using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Seventy adolescents (aged 13-18 years) participated in the present study. They were categorized into two groups based on their level of PSU: 36 problematic smartphone users and 34 nonproblematic smartphone users, who were matched for age and sex. Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex were measured using a 22-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy system during the performance of the Iowa Gambling Task. Additionally, participants completed a Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire. Our results showed that problematic smartphone users exhibited heightened sensitivity to reward than nonproblematic smartphone users, but no significant differences in oxygenated hemoglobin level changes between both groups were found. These results suggest that increased sensitivity to reward could make smartphone users more vulnerable to abusive behaviors related to these devices. However, PSU does not follow the same brain patterns as other addictions in processing monetary rewards. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result from impact to or rapid displacement of the brain and can lead to various neurological deficits involving working memory, decision making, and anxiety. While large-scale effects of brain damage are well-described for more severe TBIs, less is known about the extent and duration of cognitive deficits at the mild level. Interval timing can provide a helpful window into cognition in mice and humans. Interval-timing behavior is impaired in a wide range of neuropsychiatric disease states, but less is known about whether it is impaired by mild TBI (mTBI). Furthermore, novel object recognition and the Barnes maze tests are valuable assays for evaluating spatial learning, working memory, and anxietylike behavior in mice. Here, we employed a weight-drop model of mTBI to investigate cognitive and behavioral changes resulting from mTBI treatment. mTBI mice were not consistently impaired in either interval timing or novel object recognition, but they demonstrated impaired spatial memory in the Barnes maze. Interestingly, between-sex comparisons revealed impairments in male mTBI mice in the interval-timing task, suggesting that male and female mice may be differently affected by mTBIs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Many of the brain's functional regions display lateralization, meaning they are more specialized to one hemisphere than the other. The visual word form area (VWFA) is one such region; its specialization for written scripts, which develops only after literacy, is consistently dominant on the left in adults. The experience-dependent nature of the VWFA makes it a prime opportunity to investigate the development of functional laterality in the human brain. Therefore, we ask, "What neural correlates relate to the development of word laterality in children?" We tested two potential sources of this word laterality: (a) structural connectivity (s-connectivity) of the VWFA with the high-level language network in frontal and temporal cortices and (b) activation in these language regions. To do so, we scanned reading children (4-13 years) on a visual functional magnetic resonance imaging localizer to define the VWFA and its word selectivity and a separate auditory functional magnetic resonance imaging localizer to define language regions and their linguistic selectivity, and we collected diffusion-weighted imaging to examine white matter connectivity. Probabilistic tractography was used to quantify white matter connections between our subject-specific functional regions. VWFA word laterality was predicted by the positive interaction between laterality of s-connectivity to temporal language regions and laterality of temporal language regions' selectivity, suggesting that the VWFA tends to be more left-lateralized when both temporal language areas are left-lateralized and the VWFA has strong s-connectivity to that left-lateralized language network. More generally, our findings suggest that both s-connectivity to related regions and activation patterns in those connected regions may play a role in the development of functional laterality, and shed light on the development of the neural circuitry that underlies reading. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

By 2030, 1.4 billion people worldwide will be 60 years or older. A significant proportion will experience changes in voice, which can indicate early signs of neurodegenerative disease. Most research and treatment studies have focused on the larynx because of its accessibility and known role in moderating pitch, loudness, and voice quality. Preclinical animal models offer important insight into brain mechanisms involved in aging vocalizations. Previously, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis in adult male zebra finches, discovering that song changes occur at transitional time points, between young adult, middle age, and older ages. Song changes are accompanied by reorganization of gene networks in a song-dedicated basal ganglia brain nucleus at middle age that degrade in old age. To more precisely examine how aging alters songs during these transitional time points, we followed individual male zebra finches longitudinally over adulthood. Measurements of aging human voice, including duration, intensity, smoothed cepstral peak prominence, and fundamental frequency (fo mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation), were carried out on birdsong syllables. Our results show that changes in fo mean and intensity are the measurements most sensitive to aging and consistent across multiple mornings in the finches. Notably, acoustic changes were also more pronounced in the transition from young adult to middle age, a time at which changes in aging human voice also emerge. Our findings strengthen the validity of the finch model for use in aging research and motivate future investigations exploring the relative contributions of laryngeal, respiratory, and brain mechanisms to aging vocalizations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Excessive aggression induced by social isolation (SI) has been closely linked to dysfunction in prefrontal circuits, particularly the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Topiramate, an antiepileptic drug known to enhance GABAergic and inhibit glutamatergic transmission, has demonstrated antiaggressive effects. In our previous work, we showed that topiramate's antiaggressive effects were associated with reduced neuronal death, improved neuronal morphology, and attenuated neuroinflammation in the ACC following SI. However, its impact on ACC neuronal activity remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of topiramate on the spontaneous activity of ACC neurons in a mouse model of SI-induced aggression. Additionally, we explored whether direct restoration of ACC activity via high-frequency stimulation could similarly reduce excessive aggression. Systemic administration of topiramate (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) significantly increased attack latency, reduced attack frequency, and enhanced sociability. In vivo extracellular recording of spontaneous activity revealed a 50% reduction in ACC firing in isolated mice, which was partially restored (∼30%) by topiramate treatment. Moreover, high-frequency stimulation applied to the ACC markedly decreased aggressive behavior and robustly promoted social interaction. Together, these results provide convergent behavioral and electrophysiological evidence that SI-induced aggression is associated with ACC hypoactivity. The finding that both topiramate treatment and high-frequency stimulation of the ACC effectively reversed these deficits highlights the ACC as a key target for therapeutic interventions to treat aggression-related neuropsychiatric conditions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Normal explicit/declarative memory requires a system of anatomically related structures in the medial temporal lobe that includes the hippocampus and the entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortex. Although extensive medial temporal lobe damage in primates causes robust anterograde amnesia, defining the contribution of the hippocampus proper has proved challenging. We revisited that enduring puzzle here, directly addressing a number of factors suspected to contribute to conflicting results across earlier studies. Among them, we explored the effects of selective hippocampus lesions produced by two common excitotoxin methods, ibotenic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid. Sample sizes were substantial, and all behavioral testing was conducted postoperatively. Performance was assessed on several standard procedures designed for monkeys, including multiple variants of the delayed nonmatching-to-sample test of visual object recognition, a series of rapidly acquired two-choice object discriminations, and a delayed response test of spatiotemporal memory. We used task-specific parametric manipulations (e.g., increasing retention intervals and reduced stimulus set size) to systematically vary demands on memory and test/retest analyses to enhance sensitivity for detecting impairment. Although both lesion groups sustained substantial hippocampal damage, their performance failed to differ from that of intact controls on any task, under any key test condition, regardless of data analytic strategy. The findings constrain plausible accounts of extant discrepancies in the literature and, moreover, highlight the need for fresh perspectives on the core operating characteristics of memory mediated by the primate hippocampus. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Previous research has demonstrated changes in neural oscillations associated with varying levels of roughness during active-touch exploration of surfaces. In the present study, we aimed to investigate changes in neural oscillatory activity and softness perception during touch exploration of skin. Two experiments were conducted. Study 1 evaluated active touch of artificial skin samples mounted to a purpose-built touch sensor, whereas Study 2 investigated active stroking of one's own forearm. In both experiments, the substrates were treated with commercially available bar soaps to deliver either a soft or draggy skin feel. Oscillatory brain activity was measured using a 129-channel electroencephalography system. In 31 participants, changes in oscillatory band power were evaluated in relevant frequency bands during touch exploration periods. For the artificial skin study, the soft condition led to lower alpha-band power over bilateral somatosensory cortices, which has previously been proposed as a marker of reduced roughness, compared to the draggy condition. Similar results were obtained during the self-touch paradigm, which additionally led to reduced theta-band changes over the frontal and central-parietal electrodes indicating modulation of activity involved in affective (pleasant) touch. Using a novel and highly controlled experimental approach using a novel artificial skin paradigm and active exploration during self-touch of participants own skin, we were able to demonstrate for the first time the neural correlates associated with softness perception of skin and their impact on brain activity associated with affective touch, thereby advancing our understanding of brain oscillatory activity during active-touch exploration of skin. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Gait speed has been associated with executive function in aging. To date, few studies have examined multiple mobility measures in parallel across the adult lifespan. Understanding how distinct aspects of mobility are associated with executive function may clarify modifiable behavioral targets to promote healthy aging. Community-dwelling adults (N = 223, Mage [SD] = 52.7 years [17.5], range = 18-85 years; 135 females) from the Fitness, Aging, Stress, and Traumatic Brain Injury Exposure Repository completed mobility and cognitive testing. Spatiotemporal gait and static balance were assessed using LEGSys and BalanSens accelerometer sensors. A composite measure of executive function was derived from subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (Digit Span backward, sequencing) and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (Trail Making Test-number-letter switching, color-word interference-inhibition, inhibition switching). Relative importance analyses explored contributions of mobility measures to executive function in relatively older adults (55+ years) and relatively younger adults (18-54 years). Hierarchical linear regressions examined mobility-executive function associations in each age group. Static balance contributed to executive function in both groups, whereas gait cycle measures explained variance in executive function among older adults. Among older adults, stride velocity (β = 0.13, p = .028) and cadence (β = 0.12, p = .048) explained an additional 3.4% and 2.8% of variance in executive function beyond age and education. No associations were observed among younger adults. Mobility and cognition relationships may differ across adulthood. In older adulthood, cadence emerged as a distinct mobility marker of executive function beyond gait speed, underscoring distinct features of gait as potential modifiable lifestyle variables important for healthy aging. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Inferential reasoning is a vital cognitive ability that enables animals to navigate novel situations by leveraging existing relational knowledge of memory schema, with hypothesized roles of prefrontal cortical-hippocampal circuits. Transitive inference (TI) tasks test the ability of subjects to infer relationships within a value hierarchy (e.g., A > B > C > D > E) after being trained only on adjacent premise pairs (e.g., A-B, B-C, etc.). In rodents, current TI paradigms are primarily based on odor-cues and have several limitations that preclude investigation of physiological mechanisms underlying schemas and inference-based choice. To address these challenges, we developed a novel, automated spatial TI task for rats using a radial maze with maze arms as premise elements and a dedicated deliberation zone. Most rats successfully learned the premise pairs over training. Further, animals demonstrated rapid, successful inference (test pair B > D and control pair A > E) within a single test session, with higher initial accuracy than comparable premise pairs, indicating the use of schema-based inference. We also investigated vicarious trial-and-error's (VTE), a behavioral correlate of spatial deliberation. VTE behavior was elevated on choice trajectories early in learning, when novel premise pairs were introduced, and generally for incorrect trials, corresponding to the hypothesized association of VTE's with uncertainty. Further, rats also exhibited elevated VTE behavior with high variability during inference testing, with individual variability suggestive of varying strengths of schema usage. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of a rodent spatial TI task that provides new insights into the behavioral correlates of schemas and inference-based choices. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Using a novel behavioral paradigm that integrates fear-potentiated startle (FPS) and prepulse inhibition testing, this study examined how motherhood and infant cues impact innate defensive reactivity (as measured by the magnitude of basal startle reflex), attentional processing (as measured by prepulse inhibition), acquisition, and expression of conditioned fear (as measured by the FPS) in postpartum female rats. Sprague-Dawley mother rats from Postpartum Day 3-9 were tested in this paradigm either in the presence or absence of their own two pups (Experiments 1 and 2), and their performance was compared to virgin female rats and males (Experiment 3). Compared to mother rats tested alone, those tested with their pups being placed inside the apparatus (with no physical contact) showed significantly reduced baseline startle response and reduced overall startle magnitude under the FPS testing procedure. Importantly, this pup-induced reduction of baseline startle and fear startle was only observed in mother rats, not in virgin females or male rats. Notably, pup presence did not alter prepulse inhibition under various testing conditions nor did it affect the acquisition and expression of FPS. Also, postpartum females did not differ from virgin females and males in the acquisition and expression of conditioned fear. Together, these results suggest that distal pup cues may powerfully inhibit defensive reactivity in mother rats, without altering aversive learning or sensorimotor gating ability. The possible behavioral mechanisms involved in this pup effect are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Fear and anxiety are related but distinct responses to imminent versus uncertain threat. Suppression of eating under novelty is an evolutionarily conserved, cross-species model of anxiety, and it is beneficial to determine if this behavior can predict individual differences in fear learning and memory. The present study examined behaviors during novelty-induced suppression of eating and fear learning and memory in male and female rats, and determined which behaviors correlate across the two paradigms. Experiment 1a tested consumption of novel versus familiar food in a novel or familiar context across two sessions. During the first session, subjects in the novel context consumed less familiar food than those in the familiar context, demonstrating novelty-induced hypophagia. Novel food consumption did not differ by context. During the second session, all subjects increased consumption and reduced latency to eat, indicating habituation. Females consumed more novel food than males and more novel than familiar food. Experiment 1b tested Pavlovian auditory fear conditioning, extinction, and renewal. Behavioral responses were categorized under freezing, mobility, or neutral. Freezing increased during acquisition, decreased during extinction, and was renewed in the original acquisition context, confirming learning and memory in both sexes. In contrast, mobility behaviors increased during extinction and were not conditioned nor renewed. Neutral behaviors were high at baseline and suppressed during cue presentations. Lower novel food consumption correlated with higher freezing and lower mobility during extinction in males, but not females. This suggests that individual differences in novelty-induced anxiety can predict behavior during fear extinction in male rats. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

The hippocampus plays a critical role in contextual learning and memory processes. The ability to associate memories and behaviors with the learning context likely involves interactions between the hippocampus and other brain regions where the basic elements of the memory may be encoded. Here, we examined interactions of the hippocampus and the olfactory system using a contextually cued conditional discrimination task that required rats to remember that one odor from a pair of odor cues is rewarded in one context, but the opposite odor is rewarded in a different context. We used muscimol to inactivate the anterior olfactory nucleus, a key target for hippocampal output to the olfactory system, and the ventral hippocampus. We also performed crossed-hemisphere inactivation of the anterior olfactory nucleus in one hemisphere and the hippocampus in the other. All three inactivation procedures severely impaired performance. These results indicate that interactions between the hippocampus and anterior olfactory nucleus are critical for context-dependent odor memory. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).