Social interaction deficits and anxiety-like behavioral changes in the TgF344-AD rat model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms, which may manifest as anxiety, decreased initiative, and social withdrawal. The TgF344-AD rat model recapitulates several AD-like pathological features and cognitive deficits, yet the progression of anxiety-like and social behavior impairments remains poorly characterized. In this study, we investigated anxiety-like and social behaviors in male and female TgF344-AD rats at 10 and 14 months of age using the open field, elevated plus-maze, and social interaction paradigms. While standard anxiety measures showed limited genotype effects, we observed decreased exploratory behaviors in male rats across the experimental setups. Importantly, notable social interaction deficits were identified in TgF344-AD rats, persisting across both age points. Our behavioral assessment provides an essential characterization of this model in the mid-stage disease when neuropathological changes and cognitive symptoms are developed. Most importantly, this work provides evidence for social behavior deficits in the TgF344-AD model and contributes to understanding non-cognitive changes in AD.