Dietary restriction modulates ultradian rhythms and autocorrelation properties in mice behavior

KEMBRO, J.M.; FLESIA, A.G.; ACOSTA-RODRÍGUEZ, V. A; TAKAHASHI, J. S.; NIETO, P.S.

Communications Biology |

Nature Research

Año: 2024

Animal behavior emerges from integration of many processes with different spatial and temporalscales. Dynamical behavioral patterns, including daily and ultradian rhythms and the dynamicalmicrostructure of behavior (i.e., autocorrelations properties), can be differentially affected by externalcues. Identifying these patterns is important for understanding how organisms adapt to theirenvironment, yet unbiased methods to quantify dynamical changes over multiple temporal scales arelacking. Herein, we combine a wavelet approach with Detrended Fluctuation Analysis to identifybehavioral patterns and evaluate changes over 42-days in mice subjected to different dietaryrestriction paradigms. We show that feeding restriction alters dynamical patterns: not only are dailyrhythms modulated but also the presence, phase and/or strength of ~12h-rhythms, as well as thenature of autocorrelation properties of feed-intake and wheel running behaviors. These resultshighlight the underlying complexity of behavioral architecture and offer insights into the multi-scaleimpact of feeding habits on physiology.