51
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Rae M, Lemos Duarte M, Gomes I, Camarini R, Devi LA. Oxytocin and vasopressin: Signalling, behavioural modulation and potential therapeutic effects. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1544-1564. [PMID: 33817785 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are endogenous ligands for OT and AVP receptors in the brain and in the peripheral system. Several studies demonstrate that OT and AVP have opposite roles in modulating stress, anxiety and social behaviours. Interestingly, both peptides and their receptors exhibit high sequence homology which could account for the biased signalling interaction of the peptides with OT and AVP receptors. However, how and under which conditions this crosstalk occurs in vivo remains unclear. In this review we shed light on the complexity of the roles of OT and AVP, by focusing on their signalling and behavioural differences and exploring the crosstalk between the receptor systems. Moreover, we discuss the potential of OT and AVP receptors as therapeutic targets to treat human disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia and drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rae
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mariana Lemos Duarte
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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52
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Lorsung E, Karthikeyan R, Cao R. Biological Timing and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Role for Circadian Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:642745. [PMID: 33776640 PMCID: PMC7994532 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.642745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, as well as stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. ASDs affect nearly 2% of the United States child population and the worldwide prevalence has dramatically increased in recent years. The etiology is not clear but ASD is thought to be caused by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Circadian rhythms are the ∼24 h rhythms driven by the endogenous biological clock, and they are found in a variety of physiological processes. Growing evidence from basic and clinical studies suggest that the dysfunction of the circadian timing system may be associated with ASD and its pathogenesis. Here we review the findings that link circadian dysfunctions to ASD in both experimental and clinical studies. We first introduce the organization of the circadian system and ASD. Next, we review physiological indicators of circadian rhythms that are found disrupted in ASD individuals, including sleep-wake cycles, melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin. Finally, we review evidence in epidemiology, human genetics, and biochemistry that indicates underlying associations between circadian regulation and the pathogenesis of ASD. In conclusion, we propose that understanding the functional importance of the circadian clock in normal and aberrant neurodevelopmental processes may provide a novel perspective to tackle ASD, and clinical treatments for ASD individuals should comprise an integrative approach considering the dynamics of daily rhythms in physical, mental, and social processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Lorsung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Ramanujam Karthikeyan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Ruifeng Cao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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53
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Browning KN, Carson KE. Central Neurocircuits Regulating Food Intake in Response to Gut Inputs-Preclinical Evidence. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13030908. [PMID: 33799575 PMCID: PMC7998662 DOI: 10.3390/nu13030908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of energy balance requires the complex integration of homeostatic and hedonic pathways, but sensory inputs from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are increasingly recognized as playing critical roles. The stomach and small intestine relay sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS) via the sensory afferent vagus nerve. This vast volume of complex sensory information is received by neurons of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) and is integrated with responses to circulating factors as well as descending inputs from the brainstem, midbrain, and forebrain nuclei involved in autonomic regulation. The integrated signal is relayed to the adjacent dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV), which supplies the motor output response via the efferent vagus nerve to regulate and modulate gastric motility, tone, secretion, and emptying, as well as intestinal motility and transit; the precise coordination of these responses is essential for the control of meal size, meal termination, and nutrient absorption. The interconnectivity of the NTS implies that many other CNS areas are capable of modulating vagal efferent output, emphasized by the many CNS disorders associated with dysregulated GI functions including feeding. This review will summarize the role of major CNS centers to gut-related inputs in the regulation of gastric function with specific reference to the regulation of food intake.
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54
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Albantakis L, Brandi ML, Brückl T, Gebert D, Auer M, Kopczak A, Stalla G, Neumann I, Schilbach L. Oxytocin and cortisol concentrations in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder in response to physical exercise. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2021; 5:100027. [PMID: 35754449 PMCID: PMC9216704 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, whose core symptoms consist of deficits in social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive behavior. Brain oxytocin (OXT) has been associated with various prosocial behaviors, and might, therefore, be involved in the pathogenesis of disorders associated with socio-emotional dysfunctions such as ASD. However, significant associations between central and peripheral OXT levels may only be present in response to physiological or stressful stimuli but were not shown under baseline conditions. In this study, we, therefore, investigated salivary and plasma OXT in response to physical exercise in adults with ASD (n = 33, mean age: 36.8 ± 10.7 years) without intellectual impairment (IQ > 70) and neurotypical controls (n = 31, mean age: 31.0 ± 11.7 years). To stimulate the OXT system, we used rapid cycling and measured cortisol (CORT) concentrations to monitor the physiological stress response. When controlling for age, neither salivary OXT (p = .469), plasma OXT (p = .297) nor CORT (p = .667) concentrations significantly differed between groups at baseline. In addition, neither OXT nor CORT concentrations significantly differed between groups after physical exercise. Social anxiety traits were negatively correlated with plasma, but not saliva OXT concentrations in neurotypicals at baseline, while empathetic traits were positively correlated with saliva, but not plasma concentrations in autistic patients at baseline. No significant correlations between salivary and plasma OXT concentrations were found at any time point. Future studies including adult participants should investigate the effect of age on CORT and OXT concentrations in response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Albantakis
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry – Independent Max Planck Research Group for Social Neuroscience, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - M.-L. Brandi
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry – Independent Max Planck Research Group for Social Neuroscience, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - T. Brückl
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry – Translational Research in Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - D. Gebert
- Neurological Specialty Hospital for Movement Disorders/Parkinson’s Disease, Straße Nach Fichtenwalde 16, 14547, Beelitz, Germany
| | - M.K. Auer
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, LMU Klinikum, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - A. Kopczak
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 17, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - G.K. Stalla
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, LMU Klinikum, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, Munich, Germany
- Medicover Neuroendokrinologie, Orleansplatz 3, 81667, Munich, Germany
| | - I.D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - L. Schilbach
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry – Independent Max Planck Research Group for Social Neuroscience, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539, Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, LMU Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg, Germany
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55
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Iovino M, Messana T, Tortora A, Giusti C, Lisco G, Giagulli VA, Guastamacchia E, De Pergola G, Triggiani V. Oxytocin Signaling Pathway: From Cell Biology to Clinical Implications. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2021; 21:91-110. [PMID: 32433011 DOI: 10.2174/1871530320666200520093730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to the well-known role played in lactation and parturition, Oxytocin (OT) and OT receptor (OTR) are involved in many other aspects such as the control of maternal and social behavior, the regulation of the growth of the neocortex, the maintenance of blood supply to the cortex, the stimulation of limbic olfactory area to mother-infant recognition bond, and the modulation of the autonomic nervous system via the vagal pathway. Moreover, OT and OTR show antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-pain, anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipidemic and anti-atherogenic effects. OBJECTIVE The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the main data coming from the literature dealing with the role of OT and OTR in physiology and pathologic conditions focusing on the most relevant aspects. METHODS Appropriate keywords and MeSH terms were identified and searched in Pubmed. Finally, references of original articles and reviews were examined. RESULTS We report the most significant and updated data on the role played by OT and OTR in physiology and different clinical contexts. CONCLUSION Emerging evidence indicates the involvement of OT system in several pathophysiological mechanisms influencing brain anatomy, cognition, language, sense of safety and trust and maternal behavior, with the possible use of exogenous administered OT in the treatment of specific neuropsychiatric conditions. Furthermore, it modulates pancreatic β-cell responsiveness and lipid metabolism leading to possible therapeutic use in diabetic and dyslipidemic patients and for limiting and even reversing atherosclerotic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Iovino
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine-Section of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Rare Diseases. University of Bari "Aldo Moro", School of Medicine, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Tullio Messana
- Infantile Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS - Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Tortora
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine-Section of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Rare Diseases. University of Bari "Aldo Moro", School of Medicine, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Consuelo Giusti
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine-Section of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Rare Diseases. University of Bari "Aldo Moro", School of Medicine, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lisco
- Hospital Unit of Endocrinology, Perrino Hospital, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Vito Angelo Giagulli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine-Section of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Rare Diseases. University of Bari "Aldo Moro", School of Medicine, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Edoardo Guastamacchia
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine-Section of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Rare Diseases. University of Bari "Aldo Moro", School of Medicine, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Pergola
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari, School of Medicine, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Triggiani
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine-Section of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Rare Diseases. University of Bari "Aldo Moro", School of Medicine, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
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56
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Grabrucker S, Pagano J, Schweizer J, Urrutia-Ruiz C, Schön M, Thome K, Ehret G, Grabrucker AM, Zhang R, Hengerer B, Bockmann J, Verpelli C, Sala C, Boeckers TM. Activation of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) ameliorates loss of maternal behavior in a Shank2 mouse model for autism. EMBO J 2021; 40:e104267. [PMID: 33491217 PMCID: PMC7917557 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019104267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairments in social relationships and awareness are features observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Shank2 is a high‐confidence ASD candidate gene and localizes primarily to postsynaptic densities (PSDs) of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system (CNS). We show here that loss of Shank2 in mice leads to a lack of social attachment and bonding behavior towards pubs independent of hormonal, cognitive, or sensitive deficits. Shank2−/− mice display functional changes in nuclei of the social attachment circuit that were most prominent in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus. Selective enhancement of MPOA activity by DREADD technology re‐established social bonding behavior in Shank2−/− mice, providing evidence that the identified circuit might be crucial for explaining how social deficits in ASD can arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Grabrucker
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jessica Pagano
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Johanna Schweizer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kevin Thome
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Günter Ehret
- Institute of Neurobiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andreas M Grabrucker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Rong Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jürgen Bockmann
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Carlo Sala
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,DZNE, Ulm Site, Ulm, Germany
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57
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Intranasal oxytocin in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders: A multilevel meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 122:18-27. [PMID: 33400920 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intranasal oxytocin has been shown to promote social functioning and has recently been applied as a treatment for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The current meta-analysis aims to assess the crucial question of oxytocin's efficacy in the treatment of ASD. We performed a systematic literature search, including randomized, single- or double-blind/open-label and placebo-controlled clinical trials as well as single-arm, non-randomized and uncontrolled studies investigating exogenous oxytocin effect on ASD. A total of 28 studies (N = 726 ASD patients) met our predefined inclusion criteria. We used a multilevel meta-analytic model and found that oxytocin had beneficial effects on social functioning, but did not find strong evidence for symptoms improvement in the non-social domain. Our findings suggest that oxytocin administration can be regarded as an effective treatment for some core aspects of ASD, especially in the domain of social functioning, highlighting the promise of using oxytocin as a new-generation therapeutic to address core social impairments in ASD.
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58
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Su T, Pei L. Acupuncture and oxytocinergic system: The promising treatment for autism. Transl Neurosci 2021; 12:96-102. [PMID: 33633868 PMCID: PMC7896431 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2021-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments activities without efficient pharmacological therapies in social interaction, speech and stereotypic patterns. Clinical studies have shown the efficacy of acupuncture as an alternative therapy for autism. The effectiveness of acupuncture as an alternative treatment for autism has been demonstrated through clinical trials. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these effects remain unclear. Due to its profound pro-social, anxiolytic, stress management effects, and its potential use for the treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with altered socioemotional competence, oxytocin (OT) released from the hypothalamus has attracted considerable interest. In the past decade, a number of clinical and animal studies have shown that OT administration effectively reduces core symptoms of ASD, especially social behavior deficits. Recently, the endocannabinoid system has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of autism. OT was found to facilitate the endocannabinoid-mediated social reward processes in the nucleus accumbens of the mouse brain. Furthermore, serotonin and dopamine are involved in the reward response mediated by OT. In view of these findings, we conclude that acupuncture may produce therapeutic effects on autism by triggering the hypothalamic oxytocin system, which in turn activates the release of neurotransmitters such as endocannabinoids, dopamine and serotonin. This would be a valuable guide for further research on the mechanism of treatment of autism with acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangfeng Su
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Lei Pei
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- The Institute for Brain Research (IBR), Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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59
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The promiscuity of the oxytocin-vasopressin systems and their involvement in autism spectrum disorder. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 182:121-140. [PMID: 34266588 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819973-2.00009-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin and vasopressin systems have been studied separately in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we provide evidence from an evolutionary and neuroscience perspective about the shared mechanisms and the common roles in regulating social behaviors. We first discuss findings on the evolutionary history of oxytocin and vasopressin ligands and receptors that highlight their common origin and clarify the evolutionary background of the crosstalk between them. Second, we conducted a comprehensive review of the increasing evidence for the role of both neuropeptides in regulating social behaviors. Third, we reviewed the growing evidence on the associations between the oxytocin/vasopressin systems and ASD, which includes oxytocin and vasopressin dysfunction in animal models of autism and in human patients, and the impact of treatments targeting the oxytocin or the vasopressin systems in children and in adults. Here, we highlight the potential of targeting the oxytocin/vasopressin systems to improve social deficits observed in ASD and the need for further investigations on how to transfer these research innovations into clinical applications.
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60
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Jiang X, Ma X, Geng Y, Zhao Z, Zhou F, Zhao W, Yao S, Yang S, Zhao Z, Becker B, Kendrick KM. Intrinsic, dynamic and effective connectivity among large-scale brain networks modulated by oxytocin. Neuroimage 2020; 227:117668. [PMID: 33359350 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin is a key modulator of social-emotional behavior and its intranasal administration can influence the functional connectivity of brain networks involved in the control of attention, emotion and reward reported in humans. However, no studies have systematically investigated the effects of oxytocin on dynamic or directional aspects of functional connectivity. The present study employed a novel computational framework to investigate these latter aspects in 15 oxytocin-sensitive regions using data from randomized placebo-controlled between-subject resting state functional MRI studies incorporating 200 healthy subjects. In order to characterize the temporal dynamics, the 'temporal state' was defined as a temporal segment of the whole functional MRI signal which exhibited a similar functional interaction pattern among brain regions of interest. Results showed that while no significant effects of oxytocin were found on brain temporal state related characteristics (including temporal state switching frequency, probability of transitions between neighboring states, and averaged dwell time on each state) oxytocin extensively (n = 54 links) modulated effective connectivity among the 15 regions. The effects of oxytocin were primarily characterized by increased effective connectivity both between and within emotion, reward, salience, attention and social cognition processing networks and their interactions with the default mode network. Top-down control over emotional processing regions such as the amygdala was particularly affected. Oxytocin also increased effective homotopic interhemispheric connectivity in almost all these regions. Additionally, the effects of oxytocin on effective connectivity were sex-dependent, being more extensive in males. Overall, these findings suggest that modulatory effects of oxytocin on both within- and between-network interactions may underlie its functional influence on social-emotional behaviors, although in a sex-dependent manner. These findings may be of particular relevance to potential therapeutic use of oxytocin in psychiatric disorders associated with social dysfunction, such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, where directionality of treatment effects on causal interactions between networks may be of key importance .
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Jiang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaole Ma
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yayuan Geng
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiying Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuxia Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shimin Yang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhongbo Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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61
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Commensal microbe-derived propionic acid mediates juvenile social isolation-induced social deficits and anxiety-like behaviors. Brain Res Bull 2020; 166:161-171. [PMID: 33279588 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Social experiences during early life are thought to be critical for proper social and emotional development. Conversely, social insults during development causes long-lasting behavioral abnormalities later in life. However, how juvenile social deprivation influences social and emotional behaviors remains poorly understood. Here, we show that juvenile social isolation induces a shift in microbial ecology that negatively impacts social and emotional behaviors in adulthood. These behavioral changes, which occur during this critical period are transferable to antibiotic pre-treated mice by fecal microbiota transplant. In addition, juvenile social isolation decreases the expression of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and increases the amounts of fecal propionic acid (PA), a short-chain fatty acid derived from gut micobiota. Accordingly, infusion with an OXTR antagonist (OXTR-A, l-368,899) specifically in the mPFC or supplementation of PA both can cause social deficits and anxiety-like behaviors in group housed mice. Collectively, our findings reveal that juvenile social experience regulates prefrontal cortical OXTR expression through gut microbiota-produced PA and that is essential for normal social and emotional behaviors, thus providing a cellular and molecular context to understand the consequences of juvenile social deprivation.
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62
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Gernert C, Falkai P, Falter-Wagner CM. The Generalized Adaptation Account of Autism. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:534218. [PMID: 33122985 PMCID: PMC7573117 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.534218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneous phenomenology of autism together with diverse patterns of comorbidities led in the past to formulation of manifold theories and hypotheses on different explanatory levels. We scrutinize most recent findings from genetics, neurobiology and physiology and derive testable hypotheses about possible physiological links between domains. With focus on altered sensory perception and neuronal processing in ASD, we assume two intertwined regulatory feedback circuits under the umbrella of genetics and environmental factors. Both regulatory circuits are highly variable between individuals in line with the heterogeneous spectrum of ASD. The circuits set off from altered pathways and connectivity in ASD, fueling HPA-axis activity and distress. In the first circuit altered tryptophan metabolism leads to higher neurotoxic substances and reinforces the excitation:inhibition imbalance in the brain. The second circuit focuses on the impact and interaction with the environment and its rhythms in ASD. With lower melatonin levels, as the pacemaker molecule of the circadian system, we assume misalignment to outer and inner states corroborated from the known comorbidities in ASD. Alterations of the microbiome composition in ASD are supposed to act as a regulatory linking factor for both circuits. Overall, we assume that altered internal balance on cellular and neurophysiological levels is one of the main reasons leading to a lower ability in ASD to adapt to the environment and own internal changing states, leading to the conceptualization of autism as a condition of generalized imbalance in adaptation. This comprehensive framework opens up new perspectives on possible intervention and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Gernert
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine M Falter-Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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63
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DelaCuesta-Barrutia J, Peñagarikano O, Erdozain AM. G Protein-Coupled Receptor Heteromers as Putative Pharmacotherapeutic Targets in Autism. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:588662. [PMID: 33192330 PMCID: PMC7662108 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.588662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in the development of pharmacotherapies for autism is the failure to identify pathophysiological mechanisms that could be targetable. The majority of developing strategies mainly aim at restoring the brain excitatory/inhibitory imbalance described in autism, by targeting glutamate or GABA receptors. Other neurotransmitter systems are critical for the fine-tuning of the brain excitation/inhibition balance. Among these, the dopaminergic, oxytocinergic, serotonergic, and cannabinoid systems have also been implicated in autism and thus represent putative therapeutic targets. One of the latest breakthroughs in pharmacology has been the discovery of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) oligomerization. GPCR heteromers are macromolecular complexes composed of at least two different receptors, with biochemical properties that differ from those of their individual components, leading to the activation of different cellular signaling pathways. Interestingly, heteromers of the above-mentioned neurotransmitter receptors have been described (e.g., mGlu2-5HT2A, mGlu5-D2-A2A, D2-OXT, CB1-D2, D2-5HT2A, D1-D2, D2-D3, and OXT-5HT2A). We hypothesize that differences in the GPCR interactome may underlie the etiology/pathophysiology of autism and could drive different treatment responses, as has already been suggested for other brain disorders such as schizophrenia. Targeting GPCR complexes instead of monomers represents a new order of biased agonism/antagonism that may potentially enhance the efficacy of future pharmacotherapies. Here, we present an overview of the crosstalk of the different GPCRs involved in autism and discuss current advances in pharmacological approaches targeting them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Peñagarikano
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Leioa, Spain
| | - Amaia M. Erdozain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Leioa, Spain
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64
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Niego A, Benítez-Burraco A. Autism and Williams syndrome: truly mirror conditions in the socio-cognitive domain? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 68:399-415. [PMID: 35937179 PMCID: PMC9351567 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2020.1817717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Williams Syndrome (WS) are frequently characterized as mirror conditions in the socio-cognitive domain, with ASD entailing restrictive social interests and with WS exhibiting hypersociability. In this review paper, we examine in detail the strong points and deficits of people with ASD or WS in the socio-cognitive domain and show that both conditions also share some common features. Moreover, we explore the neurobiological basis of the social profile of ASD and WS and found a similar mixture of common affected areas and condition-specific impaired regions. We discuss these findings under the hypothesis of a continuum of the socio-cognitive abilities in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Niego
- Faculty of Philology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Benítez-Burraco
- Department of Spanish, Linguistics, and Theory of Literature (Linguistics), Faculty of Philology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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65
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Spanos M, Chandrasekhar T, Kim SJ, Hamer RM, King BH, McDougle CJ, Sanders KB, Gregory SG, Kolevzon A, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Sikich L. Rationale, design, and methods of the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) network Study of Oxytocin in Autism to improve Reciprocal Social Behaviors (SOARS-B). Contemp Clin Trials 2020; 98:106103. [PMID: 32777383 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2020.106103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the rationale, design, and methods of the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) network Study of Oxytocin in Autism to improve Reciprocal Social Behaviors (SOARS-B). METHOD This phase 2 clinical trial was designed to evaluate the use of intranasal oxytocin treatment to improve social difficulties in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In total, 290 participants ages 3 to 17 years with a DSM-5 diagnosis of ASD were enrolled to receive 24 weeks of treatment with either oxytocin or a matched placebo at one of seven collaborating sites. Participants were subsequently treated with open-label oxytocin for 24 additional weeks. Post-treatment assessments were done approximately 4 weeks after treatment discontinuation. Plasma oxytocin and oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) methylation level were measured at baseline, and week 8, 24 and 36 to explore potential relationships between these biomarkers and treatment response. RESULTS This report describes the rationale, design, and methods of the SOARS-B clinical trial. CONCLUSIONS There is a tremendous unmet need for safe and effective pharmacological treatment options that target the core symptoms of ASD. Several studies support the hypothesis that intranasal oxytocin could improve social orienting and the salience of social rewards in ASD, thereby enhancing reciprocal social behaviors. However, due to conflicting results from a number of pilot studies on the prosocial effects of exogenous oxytocin, this hypothesis remains controversial and inconclusive. SOARS-B is the best powered study to date to address this hypothesis and promises to improve our understanding of the safety and efficacy of intranasal oxytocin in the treatment of social deficits in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Spanos
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America.
| | - Tara Chandrasekhar
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Soo-Jeong Kim
- Seattle Children's Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington; Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Robert M Hamer
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Bryan H King
- Department of Psychiatry and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Christopher J McDougle
- Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Kevin B Sanders
- Neuroscience Product Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon G Gregory
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University; New York State Psychiatric Institute; Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, United States of America
| | - Linmarie Sikich
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
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Martínez-Rodríguez E, Martín-Sánchez A, Kul E, Bose A, Martínez-Martínez FJ, Stork O, Martínez-García F, Lanuza E, Santos M, Agustín-Pavón C. Male-specific features are reduced in Mecp2-null mice: analyses of vasopressinergic innervation, pheromone production and social behaviour. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:2219-2238. [PMID: 32749543 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02122-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Deficits in arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT), two neuropeptides closely implicated in the modulation of social behaviours, have been reported in some early developmental disorders and autism spectrum disorders. Mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene are associated to Rett syndrome and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Thus, we first analysed AVP and OT expression in the brain of Mecp2-mutant mice by immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed no significant differences in these systems in young adult Mecp2-heterozygous females, as compared to WT littermates. By contrast, we found a significant reduction in the sexually dimorphic, testosterone-dependent, vasopressinergic innervation in several nuclei of the social brain network and oxytocinergic innervation in the lateral habenula of Mecp2-null males, as compared to WT littermates. Analysis of urinary production of pheromones shows that Mecp2-null males lack the testosterone-dependent pheromone darcin, strongly suggesting low levels of androgens in these males. In addition, resident-intruder tests revealed lack of aggressive behaviour in Mecp2-null males and decreased chemoinvestigation of the intruder. By contrast, Mecp2-null males exhibited enhanced social approach, as compared to WT animals, in a 3-chamber social interaction test. In summary, Mecp2-null males, which display internal testicles, display a significant reduction of some male-specific features, such as vasopressinergic innervation within the social brain network, male pheromone production and aggressive behaviour. Thus, atypical social behaviours in Mecp2-null males may be caused, at least in part, by the effect of lack of MeCP2 over sexual differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Martínez-Rodríguez
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació Neuroanatomia Funcional, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Ana Martín-Sánchez
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació Neuroanatomia Funcional, Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume I de Castelló, Castelló, Spain.,Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emre Kul
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, and Center for Behavioral Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Aparajita Bose
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, and Center for Behavioral Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Neurologie, Ammerland-Klinik GmbH, Westerstede, Germany
| | - Francisco José Martínez-Martínez
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació Neuroanatomia Funcional, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Oliver Stork
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, and Center for Behavioral Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació Neuroanatomia Funcional, Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume I de Castelló, Castelló, Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació Neuroanatomia Funcional, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Mónica Santos
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, and Center for Behavioral Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany. .,CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculdade de Medicina, pólo I, 2º andar, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Carmen Agustín-Pavón
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació Neuroanatomia Funcional, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Spain.
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Pacheva I, Ivanov I. Targeted Biomedical Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4430-4453. [PMID: 31801452 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191205091312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represents presentations with impairment in communication and behaviour that vary considerably in their clinical manifestations and etiology as well as in their likely pathophysiology. A growing body of data indicates that the deleterious effect of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation, as well as their interconnections are important aspects of the pathophysiology of ASD. Glutathione deficiency decreases the mitochondrial protection against oxidants and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; immune dysregulation and inflammation inhibit mitochondrial function through TNF-α; autoantibodies against the folate receptors underpin cerebral folate deficiency, resulting in disturbed methylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Such pathophysiological processes can arise from environmental and epigenetic factors as well as their combined interactions, such as environmental toxicant exposures in individuals with (epi)genetically impaired detoxification. The emerging evidence on biochemical alterations in ASD is forming the basis for treatments aimed to target its biological underpinnings, which is of some importance, given the uncertain and slow effects of the various educational interventions most commonly used. METHODS Literature-based review of the biomedical treatment options for ASD that are derived from established pathophysiological processes. RESULTS Most proposed biomedical treatments show significant clinical utility only in ASD subgroups, with specified pre-treatment biomarkers that are ameliorated by the specified treatment. For example, folinic acid supplementation has positive effects in ASD patients with identified folate receptor autoantibodies, whilst the clinical utility of methylcobalamine is apparent in ASD patients with impaired methylation capacity. Mitochondrial modulating cofactors should be considered when mitochondrial dysfunction is evident, although further research is required to identify the most appropriate single or combined treatment. Multivitamins/multiminerals formulas, as well as biotin, seem appropriate following the identification of metabolic abnormalities, with doses tapered to individual requirements. A promising area, requiring further investigations, is the utilization of antipurinergic therapies, such as low dose suramin. CONCLUSION The assessment and identification of relevant physiological alterations and targeted intervention are more likely to produce positive treatment outcomes. As such, current evidence indicates the utility of an approach based on personalized and evidence-based medicine, rather than treatment targeted to all that may not always be beneficial (primum non nocere).
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliyana Pacheva
- Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Medical University - Plovdiv, Plovdiv 4002, Bulgaria
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Medical University - Plovdiv, Plovdiv 4002, Bulgaria
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68
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Mansouri M, Pouretemad H, Roghani M, Wegener G, Ardalan M. Autistic-like behaviours and associated brain structural plasticity are modulated by oxytocin in maternally separated rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 393:112756. [PMID: 32535183 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early psycho-social experiences influence the developing brain and possible onset of various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is characterized by a variety of brain abnormalities, including alteration of oxytocin receptors in the brain. Recently, early life adverse experiences, such as maternal separation (MS), have been shown to constitute risk factors for ASD in preclinical studies. Therefore, the main aims of the current study were to i) explore the association between onset of autistic-like behaviours and molecular/structural changes in the brain following MS, and ii) evaluate the possible beneficial effects of oxytocin treatment on the same parameters. METHOD AND MATERIAL Male rats were exposed to the maternal separation from post-natal day (PND) 1 to PND14. After weaning, daily injections of oxytocin (1 mg/kg, ip) were administered (PND 22-30), followed by examination of autism-related behaviours at adolescence (PND 42-50). Brain structural plasticity was examined using stereological methods, and the plasma level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was analysed using ELISA. RESULTS We found that maternal separation induced autistic-like behaviours, which was associated with increase in the hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum (CA1.SR) volume. In addition, we observed increase in the infralimbic brain region volume and in the number of the pyramidal neurons in the same brain region. Maternal separation significantly increased the plasma BDNF levels. Treatment with oxytocin improved autistic like behaviours, normalized the number of neurons and the volume of the infralimbic region as well as the plasma BDNF level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Maternal separation induced autistic-like behaviours, brain structural impairment together with plasma BDNF level abnormality, which could be improved by oxytocin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Mansouri
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran; Center of Excellence in Cognitivr Neuropsychology, Institue for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Pouretemad
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Roghani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; AUGUST Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Maryam Ardalan
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Centre for Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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69
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Baker E, Stavropoulos KKM. The effects of oxytocin administration on individuals with ASD: Neuroimaging and behavioral evidence. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 173:209-238. [PMID: 32711811 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social communication and the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Although behavioral interventions are numerous, there are no Federal Drug Administration approved pharmacological treatments for the core symptoms of ASD. The neuropeptide oxytocin has been studied in animals for decades, and is involved in pair bonding and social affiliation. Given oxytocin's involvement in social communication in animals, researchers have begun exploring whether oxytocin administration in humans affects social behaviors and attachment. Particular attention has been paid to whether oxytocin has therapeutic benefits for improving social behaviors in individuals with ASD. Research on oxytocin administration in ASD has utilized both behavioral and brain-based outcomes. This chapter reviews the effects of oxytocin administration in ASD, with a focus on functional outcomes from neuroimaging investigations. Evidence of potential therapeutic benefits are reviewed, as well as limitations of extant research. A proposed model for future research into the therapeutic benefits of oxytocin includes combining pharmacological (e.g. oxytocin) and behavioral (e.g. evidence-based behavioral interventions) techniques to improve social communication skills in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Baker
- University of California, Graduate School of Education, Riverside, CA, United States
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70
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Uysal N, Çamsari UM, ATEş M, Kandİş S, Karakiliç A, Çamsari GB. Empathy as a Concept from Bench to Bedside: A Translational Challenge. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2020; 57:71-77. [PMID: 32110155 PMCID: PMC7024828 DOI: 10.29399/npa.23457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Empathy is a multidimensional paradigm, and there currently is a lack of scientific consensus in its definition. In this paper, we review the possibility of compromising data during behavioral neuroscience experiments, including but not limited to those who study empathy. The experimental protocols can affect, and be affected by, empathy and related processes at multiple levels. We discuss several points to help researchers develop a successful translational pathway for behavioral research on empathy. Despite varying in their focus with no widely accepted model, current rodent models on empathy have provided sound translational explanations for many neuropsychiatric proof-of-concepts to date. Research has shown that empathy can be influenced by many parameters, some of which are to be reviewed in this paper. We emphasize the future importance of consistency in modeling proof of concept; efforts to create a multidisciplinary group which would include both bench scientists and clinicians with expertise in neuropsychiatry, and the consideration of empathy as an independent variable in animal behavioral experimental designs which is not the mainstream practice at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazan Uysal
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ulaş M. Çamsari
- Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mehmet ATEş
- Department of Pharmacology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sevim Kandİş
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aslı Karakiliç
- Department of Physiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Gamze B. Çamsari
- Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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71
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Shen L, Liu X, Zhang H, Lin J, Feng C, Iqbal J. Biomarkers in autism spectrum disorders: Current progress. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 502:41-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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72
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Soltys SM, Scherbel JR, Kurian JR, Diebold T, Wilson T, Hedden L, Groesch K, Diaz-Sylvester PL, Botchway A, Campbell P, Loret de Mola JR. An association of intrapartum synthetic oxytocin dosing and the odds of developing autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2020; 24:1400-1410. [PMID: 32054311 PMCID: PMC7376627 DOI: 10.1177/1362361320902903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A case-control study was performed to determine whether an association exists between exposure to synthetic oxytocin and a subsequent autism spectrum disorder diagnosis; 171 children under age 18 meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) autism spectrum disorder criteria were compared to 171 children without autism spectrum disorder diagnosis matched by gender, birth year, gestational age, and maternal age at birth. A conditional logistic regression model was used to examine the association of clinical variables and autism spectrum disorder. Significantly elevated odds ratios for autism spectrum disorder were associated with first-time Cesarean section (odds ratio = 2.56), but not a repeat Cesarean section. Odds ratios were also significantly elevated for subjects whose mother’s body mass index was 35 or higher at birth (odds ratio = 2.34) and subjects in which the reason for delivery was categorized as “fetal indication” (odds ratio = 2.00). When controlling for these and other variables, the odds of developing autism spectrum disorder were significantly elevated in males with long duration of exposure (odds ratio = 3.48) and high cumulative dose of synthetic oxytocin (odds ratio = 2.79). No significant associations of synthetic oxytocin dosing and autism spectrum disorder were noted in female subjects. The association of elevated autism spectrum disorder odds found with high duration and high cumulative dose synthetic oxytocin in male subjects suggests the need for further investigation to fully elucidate any cause and effect relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Todd Diebold
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Teresa Wilson
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, USA
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73
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Oladosu FA, Tu FF, Garfield LB, Garrison EF, Steiner ND, Roth GE, Hellman KM. Low Serum Oxytocin Concentrations Are Associated with Painful Menstruation. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:668-674. [PMID: 32046441 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-019-00071-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin-dependent mechanisms are hypothesized to contribute to painful menses, but clinical trials of oxytocin antagonists for dysmenorrhea have had divergent outcomes. In contrast, broader studies have shown that increased systemic oxytocin concentrations are associated with increased pain tolerance and improved psychosocial function. We sought to confirm whether increased serum oxytocin concentrations are associated with menstrual pain and other psychosocial factors. Women with a history of primary dysmenorrhea (n = 19), secondary dysmenorrhea (n = 12), and healthy controls (n = 15) completed pain and psychosocial questionnaires, provided a medical history, and rated their pain during the first 48 h of menses. Serum samples were collected during menses to measure oxytocin concentrations. Oxytocin was significantly lower in participants with a history of primary (704 ± 33 pg/mL; p < 0.001) or secondary (711 ± 66 pg/mL; p < 0.01) dysmenorrhea compared to healthy controls (967 ± 53 pg/mL). Menstrual pain over the past 3 months (r = -0.58; p < 0.001) and during the study visit (r = -0.45; p = 0.002) was negatively correlated with oxytocin concentrations. Pain catastrophizing (r = -0.39), pain behavior (r = -0.32), and pain interference (r = -0.31) were also negatively correlated with oxytocin levels (p's < 0.05). Oxytocin was not significantly correlated with psychosocial factors. Contrary to our hypothesis, women with a history of primary or secondary dysmenorrhea had lower oxytocin concentrations during menses when compared to healthy controls. Lower circulating oxytocin concentrations were also associated with worse menstrual pain and pain-related behavior. When considering the existing literature, low circulating oxytocin may be a sign of dysfunctional endogenous pain modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folabomi A Oladosu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem and The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Frank F Tu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem and The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | - Ellen F Garrison
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Nicole D Steiner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Genevieve E Roth
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Kevin M Hellman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem and The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Evanston, IL, USA.
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Mahmuda NA, Yokoyama S, Munesue T, Hayashi K, Yagi K, Tsuji C, Higashida H. One Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of the TRPM2 Channel Gene Identified as a Risk Factor in Bipolar Disorder Associates with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Japanese Population. Diseases 2020; 8:diseases8010004. [PMID: 32046066 PMCID: PMC7151227 DOI: 10.3390/diseases8010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a non-specific cation channel, resulting in Ca2+ influx at warm temperatures from 34 °C to 47 °C, thus including the body temperature range in mammals. TRPM2 channels are activated by β-NAD+, ADP-ribose (ADPR), cyclic ADPR, and 2′-deoxyadenosine 5′-diphosphoribose. It has been shown that TRPM2 cation channels and CD38, a type II or type III transmembrane protein with ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity, simultaneously play a role in heat-sensitive and NAD+ metabolite-dependent intracellular free Ca2+ concentration increases in hypothalamic oxytocinergic neurons. Subsequently, oxytocin (OT) is released to the brain. Impairment of OT release may induce social amnesia, one of the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The risk of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and variants of TRPM2 have been reported in bipolar disorder, but not in ASD. Therefore, it is reasonable to examine whether SNPs or haplotypes in TRPM2 are associated with ASD. Here, we report a case-control study with 147 ASD patients and 150 unselected volunteers at Kanazawa University Hospital in Japan. The sequence-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction method together with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy was applied. Of 14 SNPs examined, one SNP (rs933151) displayed a significant p-value (OR = 0.1798, 95% CI = 0.039, 0.83; Fisher’s exact test; p = 0.0196). The present research data suggest that rs93315, identified as a risk factor for bipolar disorder, is a possible association factor for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila Al Mahmuda
- Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan; (N.A.M.); (S.Y.); (T.M.); (C.T.)
- Faculty of Business Administration, Eastern University, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Shigeru Yokoyama
- Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan; (N.A.M.); (S.Y.); (T.M.); (C.T.)
| | - Toshio Munesue
- Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan; (N.A.M.); (S.Y.); (T.M.); (C.T.)
| | - Kenshi Hayashi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan; (K.H.); (K.Y.)
| | - Kunimasa Yagi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan; (K.H.); (K.Y.)
| | - Chiharu Tsuji
- Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan; (N.A.M.); (S.Y.); (T.M.); (C.T.)
| | - Haruhiro Higashida
- Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan; (N.A.M.); (S.Y.); (T.M.); (C.T.)
- Laboratory for Social Brain Studies, Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V. F. Voino-Yasentsky, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
- Correspondence:
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76
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Balasco L, Provenzano G, Bozzi Y. Sensory Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Focus on the Tactile Domain, From Genetic Mouse Models to the Clinic. Front Psychiatry 2020; 10:1016. [PMID: 32047448 PMCID: PMC6997554 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory abnormalities are commonly recognized as diagnostic criteria in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as reported in the last edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-V). About 90% of ASD individuals have atypical sensory experiences, described as both hyper- and hypo-reactivity, with abnormal responses to tactile stimulation representing a very frequent finding. In this review, we will address the neurobiological bases of sensory processing in ASD, with a specific focus of tactile sensitivity. In the first part, we will review the most relevant sensory abnormalities detected in ASD, and then focus on tactile processing deficits through the discussion of recent clinical and experimental studies. In the search for the neurobiological bases of ASD, several mouse models have been generated with knockout and humanized knockin mutations in many ASD-associated genes. Here, we will therefore give a brief overview of the anatomical structure of the mouse somatosensory system, and describe the somatosensory abnormalities so far reported in different mouse models of ASD. Understanding the neurobiological bases of sensory processing in ASD mouse models may represent an opportunity for a better comprehension of the mechanisms underlying sensory abnormalities, and for the development of novel effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Balasco
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Giovanni Provenzano
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Yuri Bozzi
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
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Alzghoul L. Role of Vitamin D in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4357-4367. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191122092215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder with heterogeneous etiology.
Vitamin D can function as a fat-soluble vitamin as well as a hormone, and can exert its effect through both genomic
and non-genomic mechanisms. In the last decades, several studies have examined the relationship between
vitamin D levels and ASD. These studies demonstrated that low vitamin D status in early development has been
hypothesized as an environmental risk factor for ASD. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that
vitamin D deficiency in early life can alter brain development, dysregulates neurotransmitter balance in the brain,
decreases body and brain antioxidant ability, and alters the immune system in ways that resemble pathological
features commonly seen in ASD. In this review, we focused on the association between vitamin D and ASD. In
addition, the above-mentioned mechanisms of action that link vitamin D deficiency with ASD were also discussed.
Finally, clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation treatment of ASD have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai Alzghoul
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Fujioka T, Fujisawa TX, Inohara K, Okamoto Y, Matsumura Y, Tsuchiya KJ, Katayama T, Munesue T, Tomoda A, Wada Y, Kosaka H. Attenuated relationship between salivary oxytocin levels and attention to social information in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder: a comparative study. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2020; 19:38. [PMID: 32518579 PMCID: PMC7275403 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-020-00287-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research studies have assessed the relationship between attention to social information and peripheral (e.g., plasma and salivary) oxytocin (OT) levels in typically developing (TD) children and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A relationship between them was observed in TD children, but not in children with ASD. However, this relationship remains unexamined in other age groups. To clarify whether this lack of association is maintained throughout development in individuals with ASD, we aimed to assess the relationship between salivary OT levels and attention to social information in adolescents and adults with and without ASD. METHODS We recruited male adolescents and adults with ASD (n = 17) and TD participants (n = 24). Using the all-in-one eye-tracking system Gazefinder, we measured the percentage fixation time allocated to social information. We also measured the salivary OT levels and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) of participants. Subsequently, we confirmed group differences and conducted a correlation analysis to investigate the relationships between these three measures. RESULTS Salivary OT levels did not show any significant difference between the ASD and TD groups and were negatively correlated with the AQ in the whole-group analysis, but not in within-group analysis. Individuals with ASD had significantly lower percentage fixation times than did TD individuals for eye regions in human faces with/without mouth motion, for upright biological motion, and for people regions in the people and geometry movies. The percentage of fixation for geometric shapes in the people and geometry movies was significantly higher in the ASD than in the TD group. In the TD group, salivary OT levels were positively correlated with percentage fixation times for upright biological motion and people and negatively correlated with inverted biological motion and geometry. However, no significant correlations were found in the ASD group. CONCLUSIONS Our exploratory results suggest that salivary OT levels in adolescents and adults with ASD are less indicative of attention to social stimuli than they are in TD adolescents and adults. It is suggested that their association is slightly weaker in adolescents and adults with ASD and that this attenuated relationship appears to be maintained throughout development.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fujioka
- Faculty of Education, University of Fukui, Fukui, Fukui Japan.,Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan
| | - T X Fujisawa
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan
| | - K Inohara
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan
| | - Y Okamoto
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan.,Waseda Institute for Advanced Study, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Y Matsumura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan
| | - K J Tsuchiya
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Japan
| | - T Katayama
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka Japan
| | - T Munesue
- Kaga Mental Hospital, Kaga, Ishikawa Japan
| | - A Tomoda
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan
| | - Y Wada
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan.,Kaga Mental Hospital, Kaga, Ishikawa Japan
| | - H Kosaka
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui Japan
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High oxytocin infants gain more mass with no additional maternal energetic costs in wild grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 110:104423. [PMID: 31487568 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Maximising infant survival requires secure attachments and appropriate behaviours between parents and offspring. Oxytocin is vital for parent-offspring bonding and behaviour. It also modulates energetic balance and neural pathways regulating feeding. However, to date the connections between these two areas of the hormone's functionality are poorly defined. We demonstrate that grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) mothers with high oxytocin levels produce pups with high oxytocin levels throughout lactation, and show for the first time a link between endogenous infant oxytocin levels and rates of mass gain prior to weaning. High oxytocin infants gained mass at a greater rate without additional energetic cost to their mothers. Increased mass gain in infants was not due to increased nursing, and there was no link between maternal mass loss rates and plasma oxytocin concentrations. Increased mass gain rates within high oxytocin infants may be due to changes in individual behaviour and energy expenditure or oxytocin impacting on tissue formation. Infancy is a crucial time for growth and development, and our findings connect the oxytocin driven mechanisms for parent-infant bonding with the energetics underlying parental care. Our study demonstrates that oxytocin release may connect optimal parental or social environments with direct physiological advantages for individual development.
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80
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Parker KJ, Garner JP, Oztan O, Tarara ER, Li J, Sclafani V, Del Rosso LA, Chun K, Berquist SW, Chez MG, Partap S, Hardan AY, Sherr EH, Capitanio JP. Arginine vasopressin in cerebrospinal fluid is a marker of sociality in nonhuman primates. Sci Transl Med 2019; 10:10/439/eaam9100. [PMID: 29720452 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aam9100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by core social impairments. ASD remains poorly understood because of the difficulty in studying disease biology directly in patients and the reliance on mouse models that lack clinically relevant, complex social cognition abilities. We use ethological observations in rhesus macaques to identify male monkeys with naturally occurring low sociality. These monkeys showed differences in specific neuropeptide and kinase signaling pathways compared to socially competent male monkeys. Using a discovery and replication design, we identified arginine vasopressin (AVP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a key marker of group differences in monkey sociality; we replicated these findings in an independent monkey cohort. We also confirmed in an additional monkey cohort that AVP concentration in CSF is a stable trait-like measure. Next, we showed in a small pediatric cohort that CSF AVP concentrations were lower in male children with ASD compared to age-matched male children without ASD (but with other medical conditions). We demonstrated that CSF AVP concentration was sufficient to accurately distinguish ASD cases from medical controls. These data suggest that AVP and its signaling pathway warrant consideration in future research studies investigating new targets for diagnostics and drug development in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Parker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. .,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Joseph P Garner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ozge Oztan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Erna R Tarara
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jiang Li
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Valentina Sclafani
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Laura A Del Rosso
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Katie Chun
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sean W Berquist
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael G Chez
- Sutter Neuroscience Medical Group, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA
| | - Sonia Partap
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elliott H Sherr
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - John P Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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81
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Wilczyński KM, Zasada I, Siwiec A, Janas-Kozik M. Differences in oxytocin and vasopressin levels in individuals suffering from the autism spectrum disorders vs general population - a systematic review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:2613-2620. [PMID: 31571878 PMCID: PMC6750159 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s207580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions, communication, and the presence of stereotyped, repetitive behaviors. Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin are neuropeptides produced in hypothalamus and they are related to processing emotions and social behavior. In the light of a growing number of scientific reports related to this issue, the two neurohormones started to be linked with the basis of neurodevelopmental disorders, including the ASD. The aim of this study was a systematic review of previous studies regarding the differences in OXT and vasopressin levels in ASD and neurotypical persons. MATERIALS AND METHODS Literature review focused on publications in the last 10 years located via the MEDLINE/PubMed database as well as the Google Scholar browser. Selection was made by assumptive criteria of inclusion and exclusion. RESULTS From the 487 studies qualified to the initial abstract analysis, 12 met the six inclusion criteria and were included in the full-text review. CONCLUSION Currently, available study reports still do not provide unequivocal answers as to the differences in concentrations of those neuropeptides between children with ASD and neurotypical control. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the research taking into account necessity of proper homogenization of study groups, utilization of objective and quantifiable tools for ASD diagnosis and broadening the range of biochemical and molecular factors analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof M Wilczyński
- Clinical Ward of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II’s Pediatric Centre in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Ida Zasada
- Clinical Ward of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II’s Pediatric Centre in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Andrzej Siwiec
- John Paul II’s Pediatric Centre in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Janas-Kozik
- Clinical Ward of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II’s Pediatric Centre in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland
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82
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Measurement of ultra-trace level of intact oxytocin in plasma using SALLE combined with nano-LC–MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019; 173:62-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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83
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Hong MP, Erickson CA. Investigational drugs in early-stage clinical trials for autism spectrum disorder. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 28:709-718. [PMID: 31352835 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2019.1649656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Pharmacologic interventions in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have historically focused on symptom-based approaches. However, a treatment for the core social deficits has remained unidentified. While a definitive theory for the cause of ASD is not yet known, recent advances in our understanding of ASD pathophysiology have opened the door for research on new pharmaceutical methods to target core symptomology. Areas covered: Herein, we review the novel pharmacologic therapies undergoing early-stage clinical trials for the treatment of the social symptoms associated with ASD. Specifically, these strategies center on altering neurologic excitatory and inhibitory imbalance, neuropeptide abnormalities, immunologic dysfunction, and biochemical deficiencies in ASD. Expert opinion: Utilizing the growing field of knowledge regarding the pathological mechanisms and altered neurobiology of individuals with ASD has led to the development of many innovative pharmaceutical interventions. Clinical trials for neurobiologic and immunologic targets show promise in impacting the social behavior and processing deficits in ASD but need evaluation in larger clinical trials and continued biomarker development to more effectively and consistently assess pharmacologic effects. Additionally, evaluating patient-specific drug responsivity and integrating behavioral intervention in conjunction with pharmacologic treatment is crucial to developing a successful approach to ASD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Hong
- a Division of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Oh , USA
| | - Craig A Erickson
- a Division of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Oh , USA
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84
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Pisu MG, Boero G, Garau A, Casula C, Cisci S, Biggio F, Concas A, Follesa P, Maciocco E, Porcu P, Serra M. Are preconceptional stressful experiences crucial elements for the aetiology of autism spectrum disorder? Insights from an animal model. Neuropharmacology 2019; 157:107686. [PMID: 31247268 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by changes in social interactions, impaired language and communication, fear responses and presence of repetitive behaviours. Although the genetic bases of ASD are well documented, the recent increase in clinical cases of idiopathic ASD indicates that several environmental risk factors could play a role in ASD aetiology. Among these, maternal exposure to psychosocial stressors during pregnancy has been hypothesized to affect the risk for ASD in offspring. Here, we tested the hypothesis that preconceptional stressful experiences might also represent crucial elements in the aetiology of ASD. We previously showed that social isolation stress during adolescence results in a marked decrease in the brain and plasma concentrations of progesterone and in the quality of maternal care that these female rats later provide to their young. Here we report that male offspring of socially isolated parents showed decreased agonistic behaviour and social transmission of flavour preference, impairment in reversal learning, increased seizure susceptibility, reduced plasma oxytocin levels, and increased plasma and brain levels of BDNF, all features resembling an ASD-like phenotype. These alterations came with no change in spatial learning, aggression, anxiety and testosterone plasma levels, and were sex-dependent. Altogether, the results suggest that preconceptional stressful experiences should be considered as crucial elements for the aetiology of ASD, and indicate that male offspring of socially isolated parents may be a useful animal model to further study the neurobiological bases of ASD, avoiding the adaptations that may occur in other genetic or pharmacologic experimental models of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anna Garau
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences and Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Claudia Casula
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences and Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sonia Cisci
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences and Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Biggio
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences and Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Concas
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences and Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paolo Follesa
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences and Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Maciocco
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Serra
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences and Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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85
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Anbalagan S, Blechman J, Gliksberg M, Gordon L, Rotkopf R, Dadosh T, Shimoni E, Levkowitz G. Robo2 regulates synaptic oxytocin content by affecting actin dynamics. eLife 2019; 8:45650. [PMID: 31180321 PMCID: PMC6590984 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of neuropeptide level at the site of release is essential for proper neurophysiological functions. We focused on a prominent neuropeptide, oxytocin (OXT) in the zebrafish as an in vivo model to visualize and quantify OXT content at the resolution of a single synapse. We found that OXT-loaded synapses were enriched with polymerized actin. Perturbation of actin filaments by either cytochalasin-D or conditional Cofilin expression resulted in decreased synaptic OXT levels. Genetic loss of robo2 or slit3 displayed decreased synaptic OXT content and robo2 mutants displayed reduced mobility of the actin probe Lifeact-EGFP in OXT synapses. Using a novel transgenic reporter allowing real-time monitoring of OXT-loaded vesicles, we show that robo2 mutants display slower rate of vesicles accumulation. OXT-specific expression of dominant-negative Cdc42, which is a key regulator of actin dynamics and a downstream effector of Robo2, led to a dose-dependent increase in OXT content in WT, and a dampened effect in robo2 mutants. Our results link Slit3-Robo2-Cdc42, which controls local actin dynamics, with the maintenance of synaptic neuropeptide levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savani Anbalagan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Janna Blechman
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michael Gliksberg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ludmila Gordon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ron Rotkopf
- Bioinformatics Unit, LSCF, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.,Electron Microscopy Unit, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Dadosh
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eyal Shimoni
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gil Levkowitz
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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86
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Beta-carotene as a novel therapy for the treatment of “Autistic like behavior” in animal models of Autism. Behav Brain Res 2019; 364:469-479. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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87
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Ozcelik F, Pence HH, Ozturkeri HY, Sertoğlu E. Adrenomedullin as a Protein with Multifunctional Behavior and Effects in Various Organs and Tissues. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.14302/issn.2641-9181.ijnr-19-2771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In literature, it has been reported that adrenomedullin, which is generally thought to have vasodilator, natriuretic and diuretic effects, is synthesized in almost all body, especially CNS, vascular muscles and endothelium, heart, liver, lung, kidney, gastric mocosa, intestinal endothelium and various blood cells. It has been found that the possible effects of adrenomedullin can be demonstrated directly or indirectly by means of active mediators, neuropeptides, enzymes and hormones. It is also suggested that it regulates the endocrine system by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. It increases in heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, hypertensive conditions, cerebrovascular accessory, chronic renal failure and periodontitis and decreases in peptic ulcer and intestinal diseases. However, it is still not clear whether increase/decrease in adrenomedullin level is a cause of a disease or is a result of damage due to an illness. This peptide, which could be thought to multifunctional, should be considered as a molecule with genetic coding that may have different effects on different tissues and conditions. For all these reasons, we aimed to review the multifonctional behavior of adrenomedullin in the light of the current literature to pioneer new hypotheses and discuss possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Ozcelik
- University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Halime Hanim Pence
- University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hilal Yalcin Ozturkeri
- University of Health Sciences, Haydarpasa Numune Training Hospital, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erdim Sertoğlu
- University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul, Turkey
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88
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Pörtl D, Jung C. Physiological pathways to rapid prosocial evolution. Biol Futur 2019; 70:93-102. [PMID: 34554422 DOI: 10.1556/019.70.2019.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) descend from wolves (Canis lupus) sharing the same ecological niche of cooperative hunters, as humans. Initially, humans and wolves were competitors starting interspecific communication in order to avoid risk of injury. The evolutionary continuity of mammalian brains enabled interspecific prosocial contacts between both of them, which reduced stress, and enabled behavioral cultures leading to genetic isolation of those wolves. Dogs are the first domesticated animal living together with humans for about 25,000 years. Domestication means decreased aggression and flight distance toward humans, thus changes in the stress axis are crucial. The hypothesis of Active Social Domestication considers genetic selection as a necessary prediction but not a sufficient explanation of dog domestication. In addition, dog domestication is suggested to be an epigenetic disclosure. Due to changed stress activity, epigenetic mechanisms affect cerebral receptor activity and regulate transposon expressions, thus shaping brain function and behavior. Interspecific prosocial contacts initiated via serotonin release an enzymatic cascade enhancing, epigeneti-cally, the glucocorticoid negative feedback loop. Reduced chronic stress improved social learning capability and inhibitory control. Over time, those wolves could integrate themselves into human social structures, thus becoming dogs. In analogy, human mental skills, such as creating art and culture, might have also improved during the Upper Paleolithic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pörtl
- Psychiatric Department, Saale-Unstrut Klinikum, Teaching Hospital Leipzig and Jena Universities, Naumburg, Germany.
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89
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Nomi JS, Molnar-Szakacs I, Uddin LQ. Insular function in autism: Update and future directions in neuroimaging and interventions. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 89:412-426. [PMID: 30381235 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The insular cortex, hidden within the lateral sulcus of the human brain, participates in a range of cognitive, affective, and sensory functions. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition affecting all of these functional domains, has increasingly been linked with atypical activation and connectivity of the insular cortices. Here we review the latest research linking atypical insular function to a range of behaviors characteristic of ASD, with an emphasis on neuroimaging findings in the domains of social cognition and executive function. We summarize some of the recent work linking the insula to interventions in autism, including oxytocin-based pharmacological treatments and music therapy. We suggest that future directions likely to yield significant insights into insular pathology in ASD include the analysis of the dynamics of this brain region. We also conclude that more basic research is necessary on the use of oxytocin pharmacotherapy, and larger studies addressing participant heterogeneity are needed on the use of music therapy in ASD. Long-term studies are needed to ascertain sustained effects of these interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S Nomi
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
| | | | - Lucina Q Uddin
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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90
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Martucci LL, Amar M, Chaussenot R, Benet G, Bauer O, de Zélicourt A, Nosjean A, Launay JM, Callebert J, Sebrié C, Galione A, Edeline JM, de la Porte S, Fossier P, Granon S, Vaillend C, Cancela JM. A multiscale analysis in CD38 -/- mice unveils major prefrontal cortex dysfunctions. FASEB J 2019; 33:5823-5835. [PMID: 30844310 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800489r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by early onset of behavioral and cognitive alterations. Low plasma levels of oxytocin (OT) have also been found in ASD patients; recently, a critical role for the enzyme CD38 in the regulation of OT release was demonstrated. CD38 is important in regulating several Ca2+-dependent pathways, but beyond its role in regulating OT secretion, it is not known whether a deficit in CD38 expression leads to functional modifications of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a structure involved in social behavior. Here, we report that CD38-/- male mice show an abnormal cortex development, an excitation-inhibition balance shifted toward a higher excitation, and impaired synaptic plasticity in the PFC such as those observed in various mouse models of ASD. We also show that a lack of CD38 alters social behavior and emotional responses. Finally, examining neuromodulators known to control behavioral flexibility, we found elevated monoamine levels in the PFC of CD38-/- adult mice. Overall, our study unveiled major changes in PFC physiologic mechanisms and provides new evidence that the CD38-/- mouse could be a relevant model to study pathophysiological brain mechanisms of mental disorders such as ASD.-Martucci, L. L., Amar, M., Chaussenot, R., Benet, G., Bauer, O., de Zélicourt, A., Nosjean, A., Launay, J.-M., Callebert, J., Sebrié, C., Galione, A., Edeline, J.-M., de la Porte, S., Fossier, P., Granon, S., Vaillend, C., Cancela, J.-M., A multiscale analysis in CD38-/- mice unveils major prefrontal cortex dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora L Martucci
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France.,INSERM Unité 1179, Handicap Neuromusculaire: Physiologie, Biothérapie et Pharmacologie Appliquées, Unité de Formation et de Recherche (UFR) des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Muriel Amar
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Remi Chaussenot
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Gabriel Benet
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Oscar Bauer
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France.,Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 3571, Gènes, Synapses et Cognition, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Antoine de Zélicourt
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France.,INSERM Unité 1179, Handicap Neuromusculaire: Physiologie, Biothérapie et Pharmacologie Appliquées, Unité de Formation et de Recherche (UFR) des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Anne Nosjean
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | | | | | - Catherine Sebrié
- Imagerie par Résonance Magnétique Médicale et Multimodalité (IR4M) Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8081, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, CNRS, Orsay, France
| | - Antony Galione
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Marc Edeline
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Sabine de la Porte
- INSERM Unité 1179, Handicap Neuromusculaire: Physiologie, Biothérapie et Pharmacologie Appliquées, Unité de Formation et de Recherche (UFR) des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Philippe Fossier
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Sylvie Granon
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Cyrille Vaillend
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - José-Manuel Cancela
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute (Neuro-PSI), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9197, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
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91
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Aita C, Mizoguchi Y, Yamamoto M, SeguchI Y, Yatsuga C, Nishimura T, Sugimoto Y, Takahashi D, Nishihara R, Ueno T, Nakayama M, Kuroki T, Nabeta H, Imamura Y, Monji A. Oxytocin levels and sex differences in autism spectrum disorder with severe intellectual disabilities. Psychiatry Res 2019; 273:67-74. [PMID: 30640053 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
There were few reports of oxytocin (OXT) concentrations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients with severe intellectual disabilities. We measured serum OXT concentrations in 79 hospitalized patients with severe intellectual disabilities (16-60 years old, 50 males and 29 females, 54 ASD patients) and investigated the associations between serum OXT concentration, symptom scores, sex differences, and autism spectrum disorder. There were no significant effects of diagnosis, severity of intellectual disabilities, and total score of the Japanese version of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC-J), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Tokyo Version (CARS-TV), and the Japanese version of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R). However, there were sex differences in the correlations between OXT concentrations and subscale scores in the ASD group. The male ASD group (n = 39) showed negative correlations between RBS-R Self-injurious and Sameness subscale scores and serum OXT concentrations. In the female ASD group(n = 15), CARS-TV Nonverbal communication subscale scores and RBS-R Compulsive subscale scores were seen to positively correlate with serum OXT concentrations. These findings suggest that OXT functions differ in males and females with severe intellectual disabilities and that OXT partly affects autism and related to some of the repetitive behaviors and nonverbal communication, in ASD patients with severe intellectual disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Aita
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan.
| | - Yoshito Mizoguchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Miwako Yamamoto
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa SeguchI
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan
| | - Chiho Yatsuga
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan
| | - Taisuke Nishimura
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Sugimoto
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan
| | - Daiki Takahashi
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan
| | - Reiko Nishihara
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan
| | - Takefumi Ueno
- National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, 160 Mitsu Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0192, Japan
| | | | - Toshihide Kuroki
- Department of Human Sciences, Faculty of Human-Environment Studies, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Yoshiomi Imamura
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Akira Monji
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
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92
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Higashida H, Munesue T, Kosaka H, Yamasue H, Yokoyama S, Kikuchi M. Social Interaction Improved by Oxytocin in the Subclass of Autism with Comorbid Intellectual Disabilities. Diseases 2019; 7:E24. [PMID: 30813294 PMCID: PMC6473850 DOI: 10.3390/diseases7010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately half of all autism spectrum disorder (ASD) individuals suffer from comorbid intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, the prevalence of epilepsy has been estimated to be 46% of patients with low intelligence quotient. It is important to investigate the therapeutic benefits and adverse effects of any recently developed drugs for this proportion of individuals with the so-called Kanner type of ASD. Therefore, we investigated the therapeutic and/or adverse effects of intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration, especially in adolescents and adults with ASD and comorbid intellectual disability and epilepsy, with regard to core symptoms of social deficits. We have already reported three randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). However, we revisit results in our pilot studies from the view of comorbidity. Most of the intellectually disabled participants were found to be feasible participants of the RCT. We observed significantly more events regarded as reciprocal social interaction in the OT group compared with the placebo group. In the trial, no or little differences in adverse events were found between the OT and placebo arms, as found in some other reports. However, seizures were induced in three participants with medical history of epilepsy during or after OT treatment. In conclusion, we stress that behavioral changes in ASD patients with intellectual disabilities could be recognized not by the conventional measurements of ASD symptoms but by detailed evaluation of social interactions arising in daily-life situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiro Higashida
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Toshio Munesue
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Hirotaka Kosaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji 910-1193, Japan.
| | - Hidenori Yamasue
- Department of Psychiatry and Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Shigeru Yokoyama
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Mitsuru Kikuchi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan.
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93
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Lebowitz ER, Blumberg HP, Silverman WK. Negative peer social interactions and oxytocin levels linked to suicidal ideation in anxious youth. J Affect Disord 2019; 245:806-811. [PMID: 30699863 PMCID: PMC6361537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxious youth are at risk for negative peer interactions including peer victimization, and for suicidal ideation. However, data about the pattern of association between these two factors are scarce. In this study we examined the association between negative peer interactions and suicidal ideation in a sample of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, and whether oxytocin, which has been shown to enhance the impact of social events, moderates the impact of negative peer interactions on suicidal ideation. METHOD Participants were 168 youths with primary anxiety disorders. All participants were assessed with semi-structured diagnostic interviews, and with self-report measures of suicidal ideation, negative peer interactions, anxiety, and depression. The anxious youths' salivary oxytocin levels were measured with immunoassay. RESULTS Thirty percent of the anxious youths reported suicidal ideation, with suicidal ideation severity associated with negative peer social interactions and depressive symptoms. Consistent with past data indicating that oxytocin enhances the impact of social events, the association between peer negative social interactions and suicidal ideation was stronger in youths with high oxytocin levels than in youths with low levels (i.e., moderation). LIMITATIONS Assessment focused on suicidal ideation and data on suicidal behavior were not available. Limitations inherent to immunoassay measurement of peripheral oxytocin levels are noted. CONCLUSION Negative peer interactions are associated with suicidal ideation in youth with anxiety disorders, and the association is stronger in youth with high oxytocin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli R Lebowitz
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Rd., New Haven, CT 06520, United States.
| | - Hilary P Blumberg
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Rd., New Haven, CT 06520, United States; Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Wendy K Silverman
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Rd., New Haven, CT 06520, United States
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94
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Alaerts K, Bernaerts S, Vanaudenaerde B, Daniels N, Wenderoth N. Amygdala-Hippocampal Connectivity Is Associated With Endogenous Levels of Oxytocin and Can Be Altered by Exogenously Administered Oxytocin in Adults With Autism. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:655-663. [PMID: 30846366 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin (OT) plays a pivotal role in interpersonal bonding, affiliation, and trust, and its intranasal administration is increasingly considered as a potential treatment for autism spectrum disorder. METHODS We explored whether variations in endogenous salivary OT concentration are related to interindividual differences in core autism symptoms and expressions of attachment in 38 male adults with autism spectrum disorder. Further, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was adopted to specifically explore whether interindividual differences are reflected in the intrinsic network organization of key regions of the central oxytocinergic system. RESULTS Positive correlations were identified between peripheral OT and expressions of secure attachment (the State Adult Attachment Measure and the Inventory of Peer Attachment), but no significant relationships were identified with scales assessing core autism symptom domains (the Social Responsiveness Scale and the Repetitive Behavior Scale). At the neural level, higher levels of endogenous OT were associated with lower degrees of interregional functional coupling between the amygdala and hippocampal regions. Interestingly, a single dose of exogenously administered OT induced a further reduction in amygdala-hippocampal connectivity, indicating that a higher availability of OT can alter the degree of amygdala-hippocampal connectivity. CONCLUSIONS The identified associations between the oxytocinergic system, expressions of secure attachment, and amygdala-hippocampal pathways are anticipated to be of relevance for understanding the role of OT in modulating appropriate neural and physiological responses to stress and restoring homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Alaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sylvie Bernaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Vanaudenaerde
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, Group Biomedical Sciences, Pneumology Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neural Control of Movement Lab, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, Zurich, Switzerland
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95
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Kobylinska L, Panaitescu AM, Gabreanu G, Anghel CG, Mihailescu I, Rad F, Nedelcu C, Mocanu I, Constantin C, Badescu SV, Dobrescu I, Neagu M, Geicu OI, Zagrean L, Zagrean AM. PLASMATIC LEVELS OF NEUROPEPTIDES, INCLUDING OXYTOCIN, IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, CORRELATE WITH THE DISORDER SEVERITY. ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA-BUCHAREST 2019; -5:16-24. [PMID: 31149055 DOI: 10.4183/aeb.2019.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Context Oxytocin has been investigated as a potential medication for psychiatric disorders. Objective and design This study prospectively investigates correlations between oxytocin and other neuropeptides plasma levels in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) according to severity and treatment, as compared to controls. Subjects and methods Thirty-one children (6 neurotypical as control) participated in this study. The patients were classified into mildly and severely-affected, according to Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores. Oxytocin, orexin A and B, α-MSH, β-endorphins, neurotensin and substance P were investigated using a quantitative multiplex assay or a competitive-ELISA method. Results Plasma oxytocin levels differed between the groups (F (2, 24) =6.48, p=0.006, η2=0.35, observed power=86%): patients with the mild ASD had higher values of plasma oxytocin than those with the severe form (average difference=74.56±20.74pg/mL, p=0.004). Conclusions These results show a negative correlation between plasma levels of oxytocin and the severity of ASD and support the involvement of oxytocinergic mechanisms in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kobylinska
- "Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia" Clinical Psychiatry Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - G Gabreanu
- "Victor Babes" National Institute of Research-Development in the Pathology Domain and Biomedical Sciences - Dept. of Immunohistochemistry, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C G Anghel
- "Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia" Clinical Psychiatry Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania
| | - I Mihailescu
- "Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia" Clinical Psychiatry Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania
| | - F Rad
- "Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia" Clinical Psychiatry Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C Nedelcu
- "Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia" Clinical Psychiatry Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania
| | - I Mocanu
- "Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia" Clinical Psychiatry Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C Constantin
- "Victor Babes" National Institute of Research-Development in the Pathology Domain and Biomedical Sciences - Dept. of Immunology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - S V Badescu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Bucharest, Romania
| | - I Dobrescu
- "Prof. Dr. Al. Obregia" Clinical Psychiatry Hospital - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania
| | - M Neagu
- "Victor Babes" National Institute of Research-Development in the Pathology Domain and Biomedical Sciences - Dept. of Immunology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - O I Geicu
- University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - L Zagrean
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A M Zagrean
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Bucharest, Romania
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96
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Erdozain AM, Peñagarikano O. Oxytocin as Treatment for Social Cognition, Not There Yet. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:930. [PMID: 31998152 PMCID: PMC6962227 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In a short time, oxytocin has progressed from being a regular hormone involved in parturition and breastfeeding to be possibly the neuromodulator that has gathered the most attention. Attributed many positive roles in the modulation of different aspects of social behavior, such as bonding, empathy, cooperation, trust, and generosity, as well as roles as a natural anxiolytic and antidepressant, the expectations on oxytocin becoming a treatment for a number of disorders with associated social deficits have dramatically raised over the last years. However, despite the field has been investigating oxytocin's role in social behavior for over twenty years, there are still many unknowns on oxytocin's mechanisms of action and efficiency and the increasing number of clinical trials administering oxytocin to different clinical groups seem to disagree in its properties and report in most cases conflicting results. This has led to some disappointment among researchers and clinicians as oxytocin might not be the miraculous molecule that works in a "one size fits all" fashion initially considered. Conversely, this down-side of oxytocin might merely reflect the complexity of its neurotransmission system. The current reality is that, although oxytocin seems to have potential therapeutic value, there are key questions that remain unanswered as to decide the optimal target groups and treatment course. Here, we present an overview on critical points regarding the oxytocin system in health and disease that need to be better understood to establish its therapeutic properties and to decide who could benefit the most from its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaia M Erdozain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
| | - Olga Peñagarikano
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
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97
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Freeman SM, Palumbo MC, Lawrence RH, Smith AL, Goodman MM, Bales KL. Effect of age and autism spectrum disorder on oxytocin receptor density in the human basal forebrain and midbrain. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:257. [PMID: 30514927 PMCID: PMC6279786 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0315-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The prosocial hormone oxytocin (OXT) has become a new target for research on the etiology and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition characterized by deficits in social function. However, it remains unknown whether there are alterations in OXT receptor (OXTR) levels in the ASD brain. This study quantified the density of OXTR and of the structurally related vasopressin 1a receptor (AVPR1a) in postmortem brain tissue from individuals with ASD and typically developing individuals. We analyzed two regions known to contain OXTR across all primates studied to date: the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), which mediates visual attention, and the superior colliculus, which controls gaze direction. In the NBM specimens, we also analyzed the neighboring ventral pallidum (VP) and the external segment of the globus pallidus. In the superior colliculus specimens, we also analyzed the adjacent periaqueductal gray. We detected dense OXTR binding in the human NBM and VP and moderate to low OXTR binding in the human globus pallidus, superior colliculus, and periaqueductal gray. AVPR1a binding was negligible across all five regions in all specimens. Compared to controls, ASD specimens exhibited significantly higher OXTR binding in the NBM and significantly lower OXTR binding in the VP, an area in the mesolimbic reward pathway. There was no effect of ASD on OXTR binding in the globus pallidus, superior colliculus, or periaqueductal gray. We also found a significant negative correlation between age and OXTR binding in the VP across all specimens. Further analysis revealed a peak in OXTR binding in the VP in early childhood of typically developing individuals, which was absent in ASD. This pattern suggests a possible early life critical period, which is lacking in ASD, where this important reward area becomes maximally sensitive to OXT binding. These results provide unique neurobiological insight into human social development and the social symptoms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Freeman
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Michelle C. Palumbo
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Rebecca H. Lawrence
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Aaron L. Smith
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA
| | - Mark M. Goodman
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1841 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Karen L. Bales
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA
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98
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Edwards KA, Madden AM, Zup SL. Serotonin receptor regulation as a potential mechanism for sexually dimorphic oxytocin dysregulation in a model of Autism. Brain Res 2018; 1701:85-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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99
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Oh KS, Kim EJ, Ha JW, Woo HY, Kwon MJ, Shin DW, Shin YC, Lim SW. The Relationship between Plasma Oxytocin Levels and Social Anxiety Symptoms. Psychiatry Investig 2018; 15:1079-1086. [PMID: 30301300 PMCID: PMC6258994 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2018.08.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The pathophysiology of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is not yet well understood, but previous research has suggested that oxytocin is associated with social behavior and may play a role in human anxiety states and anxiety-related traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between social anxiety symptoms and plasma oxytocin levels. METHODS Twenty-three male patients with SAD and 28 healthy male controls participated in this study. All participants were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify associations between plasma oxytocin levels and SAD. RESULTS In multiple regression models, after controlling for age and years of education, we found that higher oxytocin levels were significantly associated with higher total LSAS scores (R2 =0.157, coefficient=0.145, 95% CI=-0.0005-0.291, p=0.051) and fear subscale scores (R2 =0.134, coefficient=0.083, 95% CI=0.007-0.159, p=0.034) in the SAD group. CONCLUSION In this study, increased plasma oxytocin levels were associated with higher social anxiety symptoms among SAD patients, but not among controls. This might be because among SAD patients, higher oxytocin (OT) secretion is an insufficient compensatory attempt to reduce social anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Seob Oh
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Kim
- Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Won Ha
- Yonsei Forest Mental Health Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Yeon Woo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jung Kwon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Won Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Chul Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Won Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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100
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Oxytocin improves animal behaviors and ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation in autistic mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:262-269. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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