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Sabihi S, Dong SM, Maurer SD, Post C, Leuner B. Oxytocin in the medial prefrontal cortex attenuates anxiety: Anatomical and receptor specificity and mechanism of action. Neuropharmacology 2017; 125:1-12. [PMID: 28655609 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies in animals and humans have established that oxytocin (OT) reduces anxiety. In rats, the prelimbic (PL) subregion of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is among the brain areas implicated in the anxiolytic actions of OT. However, questions remain about the anatomical and receptor specificity of OT and its mechanism of action. Here we assessed whether the regulation of anxiety by mPFC OT is restricted to the PL subregion and evaluated whether oxytocin receptor (OTR) activation is required for OT to have an anxiolytic effect. We also examined whether OT interacts with GABA in the mPFC to reduce anxiety and investigated the extent to which OT in the mPFC affects activation of mPFC GABA neurons as well as neuronal activation in the amygdala, a primary target of the mPFC which is part of the neural network regulating anxiety. We found that OT reduced anxiety-like behavior when delivered to the PL, but not infralimbic or anterior cingulate subregions of the mPFC. The anxiolytic effect of OT in the PL mPFC was blocked by pretreatment with an OTR, but not a vasopressin receptor, antagonist as well as with a GABAA receptor antagonist. Lastly, administration of OT to the PL mPFC was accompanied by increased activation of GABA neurons in the PL mPFC and altered neuronal activation of the amygdala following anxiety testing. These results demonstrate that OT in the PL mPFC attenuates anxiety-related behavior and may do so by engaging GABAergic neurons which ultimately modulate downstream brain regions implicated in anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sabihi
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Shirley M Dong
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Skyler D Maurer
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Caitlin Post
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Benedetta Leuner
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; The Ohio State University, Department of Neuroscience, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; The Ohio State University, Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Group, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
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Ko J. Neuroanatomical Substrates of Rodent Social Behavior: The Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Its Projection Patterns. Front Neural Circuits 2017; 11:41. [PMID: 28659766 PMCID: PMC5468389 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2017.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Social behavior encompasses a number of distinctive and complex constructs that form the core elements of human imitative culture, mainly represented as either affiliative or antagonistic interactions with conspecifics. Traditionally considered in the realm of psychology, social behavior research has benefited from recent advancements in neuroscience that have accelerated identification of the neural systems, circuits, causative genes and molecular mechanisms that underlie distinct social cognitive traits. In this review article, I summarize recent findings regarding the neuroanatomical substrates of key social behaviors, focusing on results from experiments conducted in rodent models. In particular, I will review the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and downstream subcortical structures in controlling social behavior, and discuss pertinent future research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewon Ko
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)Daegu, South Korea
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53
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Albin-Brooks C, Nealer C, Sabihi S, Haim A, Leuner B. The influence of offspring, parity, and oxytocin on cognitive flexibility during the postpartum period. Horm Behav 2017; 89:130-136. [PMID: 28062230 PMCID: PMC5986067 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of profound behavioral change including alterations in cognitive function. This has been most often studied using hippocampal-dependent tasks assessing spatial learning and memory. However, less is known about the cognitive effects of motherhood for tasks that rely on areas other than the hippocampus. We have previously shown that postpartum females perform better on the extradimensional phase of an attentional set shifting task, a measure of cognitive flexibility which is dependent on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The present experiments aimed to extend this work by examining the importance of postpartum stage as well as offspring and parity in driving improved mPFC cognitive function during motherhood. We also examined whether the neuropeptide oxytocin, which plays a role in regulating numerous maternal functions, mediates enhanced cognitive flexibility during motherhood. Our results demonstrate that compared to virgin females, cognitive flexibility is enhanced in mothers regardless of postpartum stage and is not affected by parity since both first (primiparous) and second (biparous) time mothers showed the enhancement. Moreover, we found that improved cognitive flexibility in mothers requires the presence of offspring, as removal of the pups abolished the cognitive enhancement in postpartum females. Lastly, using an oxytocin receptor antagonist, we demonstrate that oxytocin signaling in the mPFC is necessary for the beneficial effects of motherhood on cognitive flexibility. Together, these data provide insights into the temporal, experiential and hormonal factors which regulate mPFC-dependent cognitive function during the postpartum period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Connor Nealer
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sara Sabihi
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Achikam Haim
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Benedetta Leuner
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Group, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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54
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Niwayama R, Nishitani S, Takamura T, Shinohara K, Honda S, Miyamura T, Nakao Y, Oishi K, Araki-Nagahashi M. Oxytocin Mediates a Calming Effect on Postpartum Mood in Primiparous Mothers. Breastfeed Med 2017; 12:103-109. [PMID: 28103103 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2016.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The current study sought to characterize changes in salivary oxytocin (OT) secretion patterns across the breastfeeding cycle, and to evaluate whether breastfeeding has a positive effect on mood disturbances related to postpartum depression, via endogenous OT release. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four primiparous mothers who delivered vaginally at term and were exclusively breastfeeding were examined 4-5 days postpartum. Salivary OT was measured using enzyme immunoassays at 30 minutes before breastfeeding (baseline), during breastfeeding (feeding), and 30 minutes after completing breastfeeding (postfeeding). In addition, maternal mood changes were evaluated at baseline and postfeeding using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. RESULTS OT levels rose significantly during feeding (pcorr < .05) and postfeeding (pcorr < 0.05), compared with baseline. POMS scores for Tension-Anxiety were decreased postfeeding compared with baseline (p < 0.001). This decrease was significantly associated with increased OT (feeding minus baseline: r = -0.52, rpart = -0.51, postfeeding minus baseline: r = -0.53, rpart = -0.52, ps < 0.05). POMS scores for Fatigue and Confusion also decreased, while Vigor significantly increased. Significant correlations were found between Fatigue decreases and OT increases (feeding minus baseline: r = -0.48, rpart = -0.53, postfeeding minus baseline: rpart = -0.60, ps < 0.05). This result partially contradicted with the finding of no correlation between increased Vigor and increased OT. CONCLUSIONS OT is released across the breastfeeding cycle and can be detected with salivary measurement. This OT release exhibited a temporary anxiolytic-like calming effect on postpartum maternal mood disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Niwayama
- 1 Unit of Nursing, Department of Reproductive Health, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shota Nishitani
- 2 Unit of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Course of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tsunehiko Takamura
- 2 Unit of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Course of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Shinohara
- 2 Unit of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Course of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sumihisa Honda
- 3 Unit of Nursing, Department of Public Health Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | - Yuko Nakao
- 5 Research Field in Medicine and Health Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima University , Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kazuyo Oishi
- 1 Unit of Nursing, Department of Reproductive Health, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Miyuki Araki-Nagahashi
- 1 Unit of Nursing, Department of Reproductive Health, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University , Nagasaki, Japan
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55
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Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS. The Neurobiology of Postpartum Anxiety and Depression. Trends Neurosci 2017; 40:106-120. [PMID: 28129895 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Ten to twenty percent of postpartum women experience anxiety or depressive disorders, which can have detrimental effects on the mother, child, and family. Little is known about the neural correlates of these affective disorders when they occur in mothers, but they do have unique neural profiles during the postpartum period compared with when they occur at other times in a woman's life. Given that the neural systems affected by postpartum anxiety and depression overlap and interact with the systems involved in maternal caregiving behaviors, mother-infant interactions are highly susceptible to disruption. Thus, there is an intricate interplay among maternal mental health, the mother-infant relationship, and the neurobiological mechanisms mediating them that needs to be the focus of future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi L Pawluski
- Inserm U1085-IRSET, Université de Rennes 1, Campus Villejean, 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Joseph S Lonstein
- Neuroscience Program & Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Alison S Fleming
- Psychology and Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development, University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM), Mississauga, ONT L5L1C6, Canada
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Ralph CR, Plush KJ, Rault JL. Oxytocin delivered intranasally to gilts immediately after the birth of the first piglet decreased colostrum intake and growth of piglets. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/anv57n12ab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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57
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Zhang S, Yu C, Feng T, Wang B, Tai F. The effects of olfactory and sound signals from dams during prior brief isolation on levels of paternal behaviours in mandarin voles. BEHAVIOUR 2016. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Although effects of paternal deprivation on offspring have been previously studied, the factors initiating and maintaining paternal care are not very clear. Using socially monogamous mandarin voles, we investigated whether cues from dams affect paternal behaviours. The sires were separated from their pups individually or placed with dams immediately prior to paternal behaviour testing. The results showed that sires kept with dams displayed more huddling behaviour and shorter latency of retrieving than sires isolated individually. Sires placed with dams in a closed box also exhibited less huddling behaviour and longer latency of retrieving than sires placed with dams in an open box. In addition, anosmia, deafness or combination of these two treatments all significantly reduced huddling and licking behaviour compared with sham-operated group respectively. These results suggest that communication between sires and dams especially via olfactory and auditory signals plays an important role in strengthening paternal behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwei Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
| | - Chengjun Yu
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Tuo Feng
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710032, P.R. China
| | - Bo Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
- College of Biological Technology, Xi’an University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710065, P.R. China
| | - Fadao Tai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
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58
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Pereira M, Ferreira A. Neuroanatomical and neurochemical basis of parenting: Dynamic coordination of motivational, affective and cognitive processes. Horm Behav 2016; 77:72-85. [PMID: 26296592 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Revised: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Parental Care". Becoming a parent is arguably the most profound transforming experience in life. It is also inherently very emotionally and physically demanding, such that the reciprocal interaction with the young changes the brain and behavior of the parents. In this review, we examine the neurobiological mechanisms of parenting primarily discussing recent research findings in rodents and primates, especially humans. We argue that it is essential to consider parenting within a conceptual framework that recognizes the dynamics of the reciprocal mother-young relationship, including both the complexity and neuroplasticity of its underlying mechanisms. Converging research suggests that the concerted activity of a distributed network of subcortical and cortical brain structures regulates different key aspects of parenting, including the sensory analysis of infant stimuli as well as motivational, affective and cognitive processes. The interplay among these processes depends on the action of various neurotransmitters and hormones that modulate the timely and coordinated execution of caregiving responses of the maternal circuitry exquisitely attuned to the young's affect, needs and developmental stage. We conclude with a summary and a set of questions that may guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Pereira
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.
| | - Annabel Ferreira
- Sección Fisiología y Nutrición, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
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59
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Qiu ZK, He JL, Liu X, Lai S, Ma JC, Zeng J, Li Y, Wu HW, Chen Y, Shen YG, Chen JS, Luo M. The role of allopregnanolone in the anxiolytic-like effect of free and easy wanderer plus (FEWP), a polyherbal preparation. Neurosci Lett 2015; 595:94-8. [PMID: 25800108 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the serious and burdensome psychiatric illnesses, which are closely correlated with allopregnanolone. The down-regulation of allopregnanolone biosynthesis has been implicated as the possible contributor to the aetiology of anxiety disorders. Free and easy wanderer plus (FEWP) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that had been shown to be effective in various mood disorders. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effect of FEWP and its association with the level of allopregnanolone in the brain. The animal behavioral tests were processed by the acute FEWP (2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg, p.o.) treatment. It had been shown that FEWP produced anxiolytic-like effects in behavioral models, including novelty suppressed feeding (5, 10mg/kg, p.o.), Vogel-type conflict test (10mg/kg, p.o.), elevated plus-maze test (5, 10mg/kg, p.o.). The animals were decapitated after the end of the behavioral tests and measured the allopregnanolone level of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The allopregnanolone level of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was increased by administration of FEWP (5, 10mg/kg, p.o.). Overall, these results indicated that FEWP exerts anxiolytic-like effects that were associated with the stiumlation of the allopregnanolone biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Kun Qiu
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Jia-Li He
- Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, PR China
| | - Xu Liu
- Pharmacy Department of General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, PR China
| | - Sha Lai
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Jian-Chun Ma
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Jia Zeng
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Hong-Wei Wu
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Yong Chen
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Yong-Gang Shen
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Ji-Sheng Chen
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
| | - Min Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515,PR China.
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60
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Effects of oxytocin on the fear memory reconsolidation. Neurosci Lett 2015; 594:1-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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61
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Zhao C, Gammie SC. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 is downregulated and its expression is shifted from neurons to astrocytes in the mouse lateral septum during the postpartum period. J Histochem Cytochem 2015; 63:417-26. [PMID: 25739438 DOI: 10.1369/0022155415578283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The inhibitory metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3) plays diverse and complex roles in brain function, including synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission. We recently found that mGluR3 is downregulated in the lateral septum (LS) of postpartum females using microarray and qPCR analysis. In this study, we used double fluorescence immunohistochemical approaches to characterize mGluR3 changes in LS of the postpartum brain. The number of mGluR3-immunoractive cells was significantly reduced in the dorsal (LSD) and intermediate (LSI) but not ventral (LSV) parts of the LS in postpartum versus virgin females. mGluR3 immunoreactivity in the LS was found predominantly in neurons (~70%), with a smaller portion (~20%-30%) in astrocytes. Colocalization analysis revealed a reduced mGluR3 expression in neurons but an increased astrocytic localization in postpartum LSI. This change in the pattern of expression suggests that mGluR3 expression is shifted from neurons to astrocytes in postpartum LS, and the decrease in mGluR3 is neuron-specific. Because mGluR3 is inhibitory and negatively regulates glutamate and GABA release, decreases in neuronal expression would increase glutamate and GABA signaling. Given our recent finding that ~90% of LS neurons are GABAergic, the present data suggest that decreases in mGluR3 are a mechanism for elevated GABA in LS in the postpartum state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjiu Zhao
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (CZ, SCG)
| | - Stephen C Gammie
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (CZ, SCG),Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (SCG)
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Stamatakis A, Kalpachidou T, Raftogianni A, Zografou E, Tzanou A, Pondiki S, Stylianopoulou F. Rat dams exposed repeatedly to a daily brief separation from the pups exhibit increased maternal behavior, decreased anxiety and altered levels of receptors for estrogens (ERα, ERβ), oxytocin and serotonin (5-HT1A) in their brain. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 52:212-28. [PMID: 25486578 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the present study we investigated the neurobiological mechanisms underlying expression of maternal behavior. Increased maternal behavior was experimentally induced by a brief 15-min separation between the mother and the pups during postnatal days 1 to 22. On postnatal days (PND) 12 and 22, we determined in experimental and control dams levels of anxiety in the elevated plus maze (EPM) as well as the levels of receptors for estrogens (ERα, ERβ), oxytocin (OTR) and serotonin (5-HT1AR) in areas of the limbic system (prefrontal cortex-PFC, hippocampus, lateral septum-SL, medial preoptic area-MPOA, shell of nucleus accumbens-nAc-Sh, central-CeA and basolateral-BLA amygdala), involved in the regulation of maternal behavior. Experimental dams, which showed increased maternal behavior towards their offspring, displayed reduced anxiety in the EPM on both PND12 and PND22. These behavioral differences could be attributed to neurochemical alterations in their brain: On both PND12 and PND22, experimental mothers had higher levels of ERα and OTRs in the PFC, hippocampus, CeA, SL, MPOA and nAc-Sh. The experimental manipulation-induced increase in ERβ levels was less widespread, being localized in PFC, the hippocampal CA2 area, MPOA and nAc-Sh. In addition, 5-HT1ARs were reduced in the PFC, hippocampus, CeA, MPOA and nAc-Sh of the experimental mothers. Our results show that the experience of the daily repeated brief separation from the pups results in increased brain ERs and OTRs, as well as decreased 5-HT1ARs in the dam's brain; these neurochemical changes could underlie the observed increase in maternal behavior and the reduction of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Stamatakis
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Papadiamantopoulou 123, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodora Kalpachidou
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Papadiamantopoulou 123, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Androniki Raftogianni
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Papadiamantopoulou 123, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Efstratia Zografou
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Papadiamantopoulou 123, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasia Tzanou
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Papadiamantopoulou 123, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Pondiki
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Papadiamantopoulou 123, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Fotini Stylianopoulou
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Papadiamantopoulou 123, GR-11527 Athens, Greece.
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63
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Coplan JD, Karim A, Chandra P, St Germain G, Abdallah CG, Altemus M. Neurobiology of Maternal Stress: Role of Social Rank and Central Oxytocin in Hypothalamic-Pituitary Adrenal Axis Modulation. Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:100. [PMID: 26217242 PMCID: PMC4493323 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic stress may conceivably require plasticity of maternal physiology and behavior to cope with the conflicting primary demands of infant rearing and foraging for food. In addition, social rank may play a pivotal role in mandating divergent homeostatic adaptations in cohesive social groups. We examined cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oxytocin (OT) levels and hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis regulation in the context of maternal social stress and assessed the contribution of social rank to dyadic distance as reflective of distraction from normative maternal-infant interaction. METHODS Twelve socially housed mother-infant bonnet macaque dyads were studied after variable foraging demand (VFD) exposure compared to 11 unstressed dyads. Dyadic distance was determined by behavioral observation. Social ranking was performed blindly by two observers. Post-VFD maternal plasma cortisol and CSF OT were compared to corresponding measures in non-VFD-exposed mothers. RESULTS High-social rank was associated with increased dyadic distance only in VFD-exposed dyads and not in control dyads. In mothers unexposed to VFD, social rank was not related to maternal cortisol levels, whereas VFD-exposed dominant versus subordinate mothers exhibited increased plasma cortisol. Maternal CSF OT directly predicted maternal cortisol only in VFD-exposed mothers. CSF OT was higher in dominant versus subordinate mothers. VFD-exposed mothers with "high" cortisol specifically exhibited CSF OT elevations in comparison to control groups. CONCLUSION Pairing of maternal social rank to dyadic distance in VFD presumably reduces maternal contingent responsivity, with ensuing long-term sequelae. VFD-exposure dichotomizes maternal HPA-axis response as a function of social rank with relatively reduced cortisol in subordinates. OT may serve as a homeostatic buffer during maternal stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D Coplan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nonhuman Primate Facility, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center , Brooklyn, NY , USA
| | - Asif Karim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nonhuman Primate Facility, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center , Brooklyn, NY , USA
| | - Prakash Chandra
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Kansas University Medical Center , Kansas City, KS , USA
| | - Garleen St Germain
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nonhuman Primate Facility, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center , Brooklyn, NY , USA
| | - Chadi G Abdallah
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, CT , USA
| | - Margaret Altemus
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, NY , USA
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