151
|
Cataldo I, Azhari A, Lepri B, Esposito G. Oxytocin receptors (OXTR) and early parental care: An interaction that modulates psychiatric disorders. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2018; 82:27-38. [PMID: 29033100 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin plays an important role in the modulation of social behavior in both typical and atypical contexts. Also, the quality of early parental care sets the foundation for long-term psychosocial development. Here, we review studies that investigated how oxytocin receptor (OXTR) interacts with early parental care experiences to influence the development of psychiatric disorders. Using Pubmed, Scopus and PsycInfo databases, we utilized the keyword "OXTR" before subsequently searching for specific OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), generating a list of 598 studies in total. The papers were catalogued in a database and filtered for gene-environment interaction, psychiatric disorders and involvement of parental care. In particular, rs53576 and rs2254298 were found to be significantly involved in gene-environment interactions that modulated risk for psychopathology and the following psychiatric disorders: disruptive behavior, depression, anxiety, eating disorder and borderline personality disorder. These results illustrate the importance of OXTR in mediating the impact of parental care on the emergence of psychopathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Italy; Mobile and Social Computing Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Atiqah Azhari
- Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Bruno Lepri
- Mobile and Social Computing Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Italy; Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
152
|
Abstract
In this chapter, we introduce a new area of social pharmacology that encompasses the study of the role of neuromodulators in modulating a wide range of social behaviors and brain function, with the interplay of genetic and epigenetic factors. There are increasing evidences for the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in modulating a wide range of social behaviors, in reducing anxiety, and in impacting the social brain network. Oxytocin also promotes social functions in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism and reduces anxiety and fear in anxiety disorders. In this chapter, we will emphasize the importance of integrating basic research and clinical human research in determining optimal strategies for drug discoveries for social dysfunctions and anxiety disorders. We will highlight the significance of adopting a precision medicine approach to optimize targeted treatments with oxytocin in neuropsychiatry. Oxytocin effects on social behavior and brain function can vary from one individual to another based on external factors, such as heterogeneity in autism phenotype, childhood experiences, personality, attachment style, and oxytocin receptor polymorphisms. Hence, targeted therapies for subgroups of patients can help alleviating some of the core symptoms and lead to a better future for these patients and their families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elissar Andari
- Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Rene Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Psychology Division, NEMO (Neuromodulation of Emotion) Research Group, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Larry J Young
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
153
|
Nishina K, Takagishi H, Fermin ASR, Inoue-Murayama M, Takahashi H, Sakagami M, Yamagishi T. Association of the oxytocin receptor gene with attitudinal trust: role of amygdala volume. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 13:1091-1097. [PMID: 30202991 PMCID: PMC6204480 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that genetic variations in rs53576, a common variant of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) resulting from a single nucleotide polymorphism involving an adenine (A)/guanine (G) transition, are associated with attitudinal trust in men. However, the pathway from gene to behaviour has not been elucidated. We conducted the present study to determine whether amygdala volume mediates the association between OXTR rs53576 genotypes and attitudinal trust. Our results revealed that the left amygdala volume was significantly smaller in GG men than in AA and AG men, whereas it was significantly smaller in AA and AG women than in GG women. In addition, the left amygdala volume was negatively associated with attitudinal trust in men, whereas there was no such association in women. We also found a significant mediation effect of the left amygdala volume on the association between OXTR rs53576 genotypes and attitudinal trust in men. The results of our study suggest that the left amygdala volume plays a pivotal role in the association between OXTR rs53576 genotypes and attitudinal trust in men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuniyuki Nishina
- Graduate School of Brain Sciences, Tamagawa University, Tamagawagakuen, Machida-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruto Takagishi
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Tamagawagakuen, Machida-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A S R Fermin
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Tamagawagakuen, Machida-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miho Inoue-Murayama
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Tanaka-Sekiden-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Takahashi
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Tamagawagakuen, Machida-shi, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Shogoin-Kawaracho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masamichi Sakagami
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Tamagawagakuen, Machida-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshio Yamagishi
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Tamagawagakuen, Machida-shi, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy, Hitotsubashi University, Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
154
|
Bauman MD, Murai T, Hogrefe CE, Platt ML. Opportunities and challenges for intranasal oxytocin treatment studies in nonhuman primates. Am J Primatol 2018; 80:e22913. [PMID: 30281820 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Nonhuman primates provide a human-relevant experimental model system to explore the mechanisms by which oxytocin (OT) regulates social processing and inform its clinical applications. Here, we highlight contributions of the nonhuman primate model to our understanding of OT treatment and address unique challenges in administering OT to awake behaving primates. Prior preclinical research utilizing macaque monkeys has demonstrated that OT can modulate perception of other individuals and their expressions, attention to others, imitation, vigilance to social threats, and prosocial decisions. We further describe ongoing efforts to develop an OT delivery system for use in experimentally naïve juvenile macaque monkeys compatible with naturalistic social behavior outcomes. Finally, we discuss future directions to further develop the rhesus monkey as a preclinical test bed to evaluate the effects of OT exposure and advance efforts to translate basic science OT research into safe and effective OT therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D Bauman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California.,The UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, California.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Takeshi Murai
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California.,Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Casey E Hogrefe
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Michael L Platt
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Marketing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
155
|
Grace SA, Rossell SL, Heinrichs M, Kordsachia C, Labuschagne I. Oxytocin and brain activity in humans: A systematic review and coordinate-based meta-analysis of functional MRI studies. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 96:6-24. [PMID: 29879563 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide which has a critical role in human social behaviour and cognition. Research investigating the role of OXT on functional brain changes in humans has often used task paradigms that probe socioemotional processes. Preliminary evidence suggests a central role of the amygdala in the social cognitive effects of intranasal OXT (IN-OXT), however, inconsistencies in task-design and analysis methods have led to inconclusive findings regarding a cohesive model of the neural mechanisms underlying OXT's actions. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically investigate these findings. A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases was conducted for fMRI studies which compared IN-OXT to placebo in humans. First, we systematically reviewed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of IN-OXT, including studies of healthy humans, those with clinical disorders, and studies examining resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI). Second, we employed a coordinate-based meta-analysis for task-based neuroimaging literature using activation likelihood estimation (ALE), whereby, coordinates were extracted from clusters with significant differences in IN-OXT versus placebo in healthy adults. Data were included for 39 fMRI studies that reported a total of 374 distinct foci. The meta-analysis identified task-related IN-OXT increases in activity within a cluster of the left superior temporal gyrus during tasks of emotion processing. These findings are important as they implicate regions beyond the amygdala in the neural effects of IN-OXT. The outcomes from this meta-analysis can guide a priori predictions for future OXT research, and provide an avenue for targeted treatment interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Grace
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Susan L Rossell
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia; Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Markus Heinrichs
- School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Izelle Labuschagne
- School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
156
|
Zimmermann J, Deris N, Montag C, Reuter M, Felten A, Becker B, Weber B, Markett S. A common polymorphism on the oxytocin receptor gene (rs2268498) and resting-state functional connectivity of amygdala subregions - A genetic imaging study. Neuroimage 2018; 179:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
|
157
|
|
158
|
Parr LA, Mitchell T, Hecht E. Intranasal oxytocin in rhesus monkeys alters brain networks that detect social salience and reward. Am J Primatol 2018; 80:e22915. [PMID: 30295946 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In primates, resting state functional neuroimaging (rsfcMRI) has identified several large-scale, intrinsic brain networks, including the salience network (SN), which is involved in detecting stimulus salience. Intranasal oxytocin (IN-OT) has been shown to modulate the salience and rewarding quality of social stimuli in mammals and numerous studies have shown that it can affect the functional connectivity between brain regions. Less is known, however, about how these effects unfold over time following IN-OT administration. This study used rsfcMRI in anesthetized rhesus macaques to track temporal changes in the functional connectivity between brain regions involved in the SN, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), anterior insula (AI), amygdala (amy), and ventral striatum (vstr), lasting 3 hr after IN-OT or Placebo (saline) administration. We found significant temporal changes in the functional connectivity between all regions associated with treatment condition. IN-OT increased the functional connectivity between AI_vstr, ACC_amy (right hemisphere), ACC_vstr (left hemisphere), and amy_vstr (right hemisphere), but reduced the functional connectivity between ACC_AI, and the AI_amygdala. These results suggest that IN-OT may dampen salience detection in rhesus monkeys, consistent with previous findings of reduced social vigilance, while enhancing the connectivity between the SN and regions involved in processing reward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Parr
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Erin Hecht
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
159
|
Preis A, Samuni L, Mielke A, Deschner T, Crockford C, Wittig RM. Urinary oxytocin levels in relation to post-conflict affiliations in wild male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). Horm Behav 2018; 105:28-40. [PMID: 30031684 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Many animals living in social groups have evolved behaviors to resolve conflicts between group members, behaviors thought crucial for maintaining stable group life. Several hypotheses, based mainly on observational data, aim to explain how post-conflict (PC) affiliations, such as reconciliation and consolation, resolve conflicts by restoring relationships and/or alleviating anxiety. To examine a potential endocrinological mechanism of PC affiliations, we used an experimental-like procedure to investigate whether the oxytocinergic system is activated during naturally observed reconciliations, receiving bystander PC affiliations and aggressions not followed by PC affiliations in wild male chimpanzees. We compared urinary oxytocin (uOT) levels after reconciliations, receiving bystander PC affiliations or aggressions without affiliations with two control conditions: affiliations without previous aggression and after time periods without social interactions. We furthermore tested the 'valuable relationship' hypothesis of reconciliation, as well as the influence of relationship quality between individuals engaged in each of the three behavioral conditions involving aggression on uOT levels. We found that the probability to reconcile a conflict increased with increasing relationship quality between opponents, thus our results support the 'valuable relationship' hypothesis. However, relationship quality did not influence uOT levels, while behavioral condition had a significant effect on uOT levels. uOT levels after reconciliations, receiving bystander PC affiliations and affiliations not related to conflicts were higher than after aggressions alone and time periods without social interactions. Overall, our results indicate that the oxytocinergic system is activated during affiliative interactions, whether occurring as reconciliation, bystander PC affiliation or affiliation alone. We conclude that the oxytocinergic system, in addition to building and maintaining social relationships, also takes part in repairing them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Preis
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany; Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
| | - L Samuni
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany; Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - A Mielke
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany; Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - T Deschner
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - C Crockford
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany; Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - R M Wittig
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany; Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
| |
Collapse
|
160
|
Boll S, Almeida de Minas A, Raftogianni A, Herpertz S, Grinevich V. Oxytocin and Pain Perception: From Animal Models to Human Research. Neuroscience 2018; 387:149-161. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
161
|
Lopatina OL, Komleva YK, Gorina YV, Higashida H, Salmina AB. Neurobiological Aspects of Face Recognition: The Role of Oxytocin. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:195. [PMID: 30210321 PMCID: PMC6121008 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Face recognition is an important index in the formation of social cognition and neurodevelopment in humans. Changes in face perception and memory are connected with altered sociability, which is a symptom of numerous brain conditions including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Various brain regions and neuropeptides are implicated in face processing. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) plays an important role in various social behaviors, including face and emotion recognition. Nasal OT administration is a promising new therapy that can address social cognition deficits in individuals with ASD. New instrumental neurotechnologies enable the assessment of brain region activation during specific social tasks and therapies, and can characterize the involvement of genes and peptides in impaired neurodevelopment. The present review sought to discuss some of the mechanisms of the face distinguishing process, the ability of OT to modulate social cognition, as well as new perspectives and technologies for research and rehabilitation of face recognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga L Lopatina
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Toxicological Chemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.,Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.,Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yulia K Komleva
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Toxicological Chemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.,Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Yana V Gorina
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Toxicological Chemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.,Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Haruhiro Higashida
- Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.,Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Alla B Salmina
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Toxicological Chemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.,Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.,Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
162
|
Flanagan JC, Hand A, Jarnecke AM, Moran-Santa Maria MM, Brady KT, Joseph JE. Effects of oxytocin on working memory and executive control system connectivity in posttraumatic stress disorder. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2018; 26:391-402. [PMID: 30070567 PMCID: PMC6075739 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic, debilitating condition for which effective medications are scant and little is known about neural correlates of risk versus resilience. Oxytocin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that has demonstrated promise in modulating neurobiological and behavioral correlates of PTSD. Cognitive deficits in areas such as working memory and executive control are highly prevalent among individuals with PTSD and oxytocin might modulate these impairments in individuals with PTSD. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, this study employed functional MRI (fMRI) and the n-back working memory task to examine the effects of oxytocin (24 IU) versus placebo on working memory and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) connectivity among individuals with PTSD (n = 16) as compared with a trauma-exposed control group (n = 18). Results indicate that individuals with PTSD on oxytocin performed better in the 2-back condition of the n-back task compared with individuals with PTSD on placebo. Results also indicate that connectivity between DLPFC and anterior cingulate increased in the 2-back condition among individuals with PTSD on oxytocin as compared with placebo. These findings provide preliminary evidence of an effect of oxytocin on working memory among individuals with PTSD and insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this association. Future studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms responsible for working memory deficits in PTSD and to examine the potential of oxytocin for use as a treatment for PTSD. (PsycINFO Database Record
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julianne C. Flanagan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Anne Hand
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Amber M. Jarnecke
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | - Kathleen T. Brady
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
- Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, SC
| | - Jane E. Joseph
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| |
Collapse
|
163
|
Geng Y, Zhao W, Zhou F, Ma X, Yao S, Hurlemann R, Becker B, Kendrick KM. Oxytocin Enhancement of Emotional Empathy: Generalization Across Cultures and Effects on Amygdala Activity. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:512. [PMID: 30108475 PMCID: PMC6079225 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) can enhance empathy although it is unclear which specific behavioral and neural aspects are influenced, and whether the effects are modulated by culture, sex, and trait autism. Based on previous findings in Caucasian men, we hypothesized that a single intranasal dose of OXT would specifically enhance emotional empathy (EE) via modulatory effects on the amygdala in an Asian (Chinese) population and explored the modulatory role of sex and trait autism on the effects. We first conducted a double-blind, randomized between-subject design experiment using a modified version of the multifaceted empathy task to determine whether OXT’s facilitation of EE can be replicated in Chinese men (n = 60). To further explore neural mechanisms behind and potential sex differences, functional MRI and skin conductance measures were acquired in an independent experiment incorporating men and women (n = 72). OXT enhanced EE across experiments and sex, an effect that was accompanied by reduced amygdala activity and increased skin conductance responses. On the network level OXT enhanced functional coupling of the right amygdala with the insula and posterior cingulate cortex for positive valence stimuli but attenuated coupling for negative valence stimuli. The effect of OXT on amygdala functional connectivity with the insula was modulated by trait autism. Overall, our findings provide further support for the role of OXT in facilitating EE and demonstrate that effects are independent of culture and sex and involve modulatory effects on the amygdala and its interactions with other key empathy regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yayuan Geng
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaole Ma
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuxia Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Rene Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Division of Medical Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
164
|
Janeček M, Dabrowska J. Oxytocin facilitates adaptive fear and attenuates anxiety responses in animal models and human studies-potential interaction with the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:143-172. [PMID: 30054732 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2889-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite its relatively well-understood role as a reproductive and pro-social peptide, oxytocin (OT) tells a more convoluted story in terms of its modulation of fear and anxiety. This nuanced story has been obscured by a great deal of research into the therapeutic applications of exogenous OT, driving more than 400 ongoing clinical trials. Drawing from animal models and human studies, we review the complex evidence concerning OT's role in fear learning and anxiety, clarifying the existing confusion about modulation of fear versus anxiety. We discuss animal models and human studies demonstrating the prevailing role of OT in strengthening fear memory to a discrete signal or cue, which allows accurate and rapid threat detection that facilitates survival. We also review ostensibly contrasting behavioral studies that nonetheless provide compelling evidence of OT attenuating sustained contextual fear and anxiety-like behavior, arguing that these OT effects on the modulation of fear vs. anxiety are not mutually exclusive. To disambiguate how endogenous OT modulates fear and anxiety, an understudied area compared to exogenous OT, we survey behavioral studies utilizing OT receptor (OTR) antagonists. Based on emerging evidence about the role of OTR in rat dorsolateral bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) and elsewhere, we postulate that OT plays a critical role in facilitating accurate discrimination between stimuli representing threat and safety. Supported by human studies, we demonstrate that OT uniquely facilitates adaptive fear but reduces maladaptive anxiety. Last, we explore the limited literature on endogenous OT and its interaction with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) with a special emphasis on the dorsolateral BNST, which may hold the key to the neurobiology of phasic fear and sustained anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Janeček
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Joanna Dabrowska
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
165
|
Abstract
Accumulating research indicates oxytocin plays a significant role in regulating the behavioral and neurobiological responses to stress. Evidence from preclinical models suggests the effect of oxytocin on stress-responsivity appears to be dependent on individual characteristics, including sex. Although the interaction between oxytocinergic and stress systems has been widely studied in rodents, recent efforts have been made to examine the interface between these two systems in humans. This brief review examines how administration of oxytocin can influence the neuroendocrine, behavioral, and neural responses to stress, explores how sex may impact these effects, and provides considerations for future work.
Collapse
|
166
|
Zanos P, Georgiou P, Weber C, Robinson F, Kouimtsidis C, Niforooshan R, Bailey A. Oxytocin and opioid addiction revisited: old drug, new applications. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:2809-2824. [PMID: 28378414 PMCID: PMC6016632 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid addiction has devastating health and socio-economic consequences, and current pharmacotherapy is limited and often accompanied by side effects, thus novel treatment is warranted. Traditionally, the neurohypophyseal peptide oxytocin (OT) is known for its effects on mediating reward, social affiliation and bonding, stress and learning and memory. There is now strong evidence that OT is a possible candidate for the treatment of drug addiction and depression-addiction co-morbidities. This review summarizes and critically discusses the preclinical evidence surrounding the consequences of pharmacological manipulation of the oxytocinergic system on opioid addiction-related processes, as well as the effects of opioids on the OT system at different stages of the addiction cycle. The mechanisms underlying the effects of OT on opioid addiction, including OT' interaction with the monoaminergic, glutamatergic, opioidergic systems and its effect on the amygdala, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and on memory consolidation of traumatic memories, are also reviewed. We also review clinical evidence on the effects of intranasal OT administration on opioid-dependent individuals and discuss the therapeutic potential along with the limitations that accompany OT-based pharmacotherapies. Review of these studies clearly indicates that the OT system is profoundly affected by opioid use and abstinence and points towards the OT system as an important target for developing pharmacotherapies for the treatment of opioid addiction and co-existing affective disorders, thereby preventing relapse. Therefore, there is a clear need for clinical studies assessing the efficacy of OT-based pharmacotherapies in opioid addiction. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Emerging Areas of Opioid Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.14/issuetoc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Panos Zanos
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Carol Weber
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Fiona Robinson
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustChertseySurreyUK
| | | | | | - Alexis Bailey
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical EducationSt George's University of LondonLondonUK
| |
Collapse
|
167
|
Ide JS, Nedic S, Wong KF, Strey SL, Lawson EA, Dickerson BC, Wald LL, La Camera G, Mujica-Parodi LR. Oxytocin attenuates trust as a subset of more general reinforcement learning, with altered reward circuit functional connectivity in males. Neuroimage 2018; 174:35-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
|
168
|
Hennessey T, Andari E, Rainnie DG. RDoC-based categorization of amygdala functions and its implications in autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 90:115-129. [PMID: 29660417 PMCID: PMC6250055 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Confusion endures as to the exact role of the amygdala in relation to autism. To help resolve this we turned to the NIMH's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) which provides a classification schema that identifies different categories of behaviors that can turn pathologic in mental health disorders, e.g. autism. While RDoC incorporates all the known neurobiological substrates for each domain, this review will focus primarily on the amygdala. We first consider the amygdala from an anatomical, historical, and developmental perspective. Next, we examine the different domains and constructs of RDoC that the amygdala is involved in: Negative Valence Systems, Positive Valence Systems, Cognitive Systems, Social Processes, and Arousal and Regulatory Systems. Then the evidence for a dysfunctional amygdala in autism is presented with a focus on alterations in development, prenatal valproic acid exposure as a model for ASD, and changes in the oxytocin system therein. Finally, a synthesis of RDoC, the amygdala, and autism is offered, emphasizing the task of disambiguation and suggestions for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hennessey
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, United States
| | - Elissar Andari
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, United States
| | - Donald G Rainnie
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
169
|
Jurek B, Neumann ID. The Oxytocin Receptor: From Intracellular Signaling to Behavior. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1805-1908. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00031.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 408] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The many facets of the oxytocin (OXT) system of the brain and periphery elicited nearly 25,000 publications since 1930 (see FIGURE 1 , as listed in PubMed), which revealed central roles for OXT and its receptor (OXTR) in reproduction, and social and emotional behaviors in animal and human studies focusing on mental and physical health and disease. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of OXT expression and release, expression and binding of the OXTR in brain and periphery, OXTR-coupled signaling cascades, and their involvement in behavioral outcomes to assemble a comprehensive picture of the central and peripheral OXT system. Traditionally known for its role in milk let-down and uterine contraction during labor, OXT also has implications in physiological, and also behavioral, aspects of reproduction, such as sexual and maternal behaviors and pair bonding, but also anxiety, trust, sociability, food intake, or even drug abuse. The many facets of OXT are, on a molecular basis, brought about by a single receptor. The OXTR, a 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor capable of binding to either Gαior Gαqproteins, activates a set of signaling cascades, such as the MAPK, PKC, PLC, or CaMK pathways, which converge on transcription factors like CREB or MEF-2. The cellular response to OXT includes regulation of neurite outgrowth, cellular viability, and increased survival. OXTergic projections in the brain represent anxiety and stress-regulating circuits connecting the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or the medial prefrontal cortex. Which OXT-induced patterns finally alter the behavior of an animal or a human being is still poorly understood, and studying those OXTR-coupled signaling cascades is one initial step toward a better understanding of the molecular background of those behavioral effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jurek
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
170
|
Williams AV, Trainor BC. The impact of sex as a biological variable in the search for novel antidepressants. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 50:107-117. [PMID: 29859882 PMCID: PMC6139050 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A roadblock to successful treatment for anxiety and depression is the high proportion of individuals that do not respond to existing treatments. Different underlying neurobiological mechanisms may drive similar symptoms, so a more personalized approach to treatment could be more successful. There is increasing evidence that sex is an important biological variable modulating efficacy of antidepressants and anxiolytics. We review evidence for sex-specific effects of traditional monoamine based antidepressants and newer pharmaceuticals targeting kappa opioid receptors (KOR), oxytocin receptors (OTR), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (ketamine). In some cases, similar behavioral effects are observed in both sexes while in other cases strong sex-specific effects are observed. Most intriguing are cases such as ketamine which has similar behavioral effects in males and females, perhaps through sex-specific neurobiological mechanisms. These results show how essential it is to include both males and females in both clinical and preclinical evaluations of novel antidepressants and anxiolytics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexia V Williams
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
171
|
Liu Y, Wu B, Wang X, Li W, Zhang T, Wu X, Han S. Oxytocin effects on self-referential processing: behavioral and neuroimaging evidence. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 12:1845-1858. [PMID: 29040763 PMCID: PMC5716198 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) influences other-oriented mental processes (e.g. trust and empathy) and the underlying neural substrates. However, whether and how OT modulates self-oriented processes and the underlying brain activity remains unclear. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled between-subjects design, we manipulated memory encoding and retrieval of trait adjectives related to the self, a friend and a celebrity in a self-referential task in male adults. Experiment 1 (N = 51) found that OT vs placebo treatments reduced response times during encoding self-related trait adjectives but increased recognition scores of self-related information during memory retrieval. Experiment 2 (N = 50) showed similar OT effects on response times during encoding self-related trait adjectives. Moreover, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) results revealed that OT vs placebo treatments decreased the activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) involved in encoding of self-related trait adjectives and weakened the coupling between the MPFC activity and a cultural trait (i.e. interdependence). Experiment 3 (N = 52) revealed that OT vs placebo treatments increased the right superior frontal activity during memory retrieval of self-related information. The results provide behavioral and fMRI evidence for OT effects on self-referential processing and suggest distinct patterns of OT modulations of brain activities engaged in encoding and retrieval of self-related information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Wu
- Department of Radiology, PLA Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuena Wang
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenxin Li
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinhuai Wu
- Department of Radiology, PLA Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shihui Han
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
172
|
Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin Administration on Sexual Functions in Healthy Women: A Laboratory Paradigm. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2018; 38:239-242. [PMID: 29596150 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000000863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has a variety of physiological functions in maternal behavior and attachment including sexual behavior. Based on animal research and our previous human studies, we set out to investigate intranasal administration of OXT and hypothesized that OXT should be able to modulate sexual function in women. METHODS In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover laboratory setting, the acute effects of intranasal administered OXT (24 international units) on sexual drive, arousal, orgasm, and refractory aspects of sexual behavior were analyzed in 27 healthy females (mean age ± SD, 27.52 ± 8.04) together with physiological parameters using vaginal photoplethysmography. FINDINGS Oxytocin administration showed no effect on subjective sexual parameters (eg, postorgasmic tension; P = 0.051). Physiological parameters (vaginal photoplethysmography amplitude and vaginal blood volume) showed a response pattern towards sexual arousal but were not affected by OXT. IMPLICATIONS Using a well-established laboratory paradigm, we did not find that intranasal OXT influences female sexual parameters. Also, sexual drive and other functions were not affected by OXT. These findings indicate that OXT is not able to significantly increase subjective and objective parameters of sexual function in a setting with high internal validity; however, this might be different in a more naturalistic setting.
Collapse
|
173
|
Maud C, Ryan J, McIntosh JE, Olsson CA. The role of oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) DNA methylation (DNAm) in human social and emotional functioning: a systematic narrative review. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:154. [PMID: 29843655 PMCID: PMC5975530 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1740-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuropeptide Oxytocin (OXT) plays a central role in birthing, mother-infant bonding and a broad range of related social behaviours in mammals. More recently, interest has extended to epigenetic programming of genes involved in oxytocinergic neurotransmission. This review brings together early findings in a rapidly developing field of research, examining relationships between DNA methylation (DNAm) of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) and social and emotional behaviour in human populations. METHOD A systematic search across Web of Knowledge/Science, Scopus, Medline and EMBASE captured all published studies prior to June 2017 examining the association between OXTR DNAm and human social and emotional outcomes. Search terms included 'oxytocin gene' or 'oxytocin receptor gene' and 'epigenetics' or 'DNA methylation'. Any article with a focus on social and emotional functioning was then identified from this set by manual review. RESULTS Nineteen studies met eligibility criteria. There was considerable heterogeneity of study populations, tissue samples, instrumentation, measurement, and OXTR site foci. Only three studies examined functional consequences of OXTR DNAm on gene expression and protein synthesis. Increases in OXTR DNAm were associated with callous-unemotional traits in youth, social cognitive deficits in Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), rigid thinking in anorexia nervosa, affect regulation problems, and problems with facial and emotional recognition. In contrast, reductions in DNAm were associated with perinatal stress, postnatal depression, social anxiety and autism in children. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with an emerging field of inquiry, there is not yet sufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the role of OXTR DNAm in human social and emotional behaviour. However, taken together, findings point to increased OXTR DNAm in general impairments in social, cognitive and emotional functioning, and decreased OXTR DNAm in specific patterns of impairment related to mood and anxiety disorders (but not in all). Future progress in this field would be enhanced by adequately powered designs, greater phenotypic precision, and methodological improvements including longitudinal studies with multiple time-points to facilitate causal inference.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Maud
- Deakin University Geelong, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Jennifer E McIntosh
- Deakin University Geelong, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Craig A Olsson
- Deakin University Geelong, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
174
|
The role of oxytocin in implicit personal space regulation: An fMRI study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 91:206-215. [PMID: 29601981 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Personal space, defined as the distance individuals choose to maintain between themselves and others, is an indicator of affiliation and closeness. Most paradigms that measure personal space preferences involve explicit choice and therefore fail to examine the implicit aspects of such preferences. In the current study, we sought to investigate an implicit form of interpersonal space that is more closely related to real-life situations involving affiliation. We studied the effects of oxytocin (OT) on neural networks that involve affiliation and tested the impact on personal space preferences. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, we asked participants to choose between two rooms that differed only in the distances between two stimuli. The stimuli were either social stimuli (two chairs) or non-social stimuli (table and plant). The behavioral results showed that OT caused participants to choose a closer space in social blocks but did not affect their choices in non-social blocks. Imaging results revealed an interaction between stimulus and treatment (OT/PL) in the dorsal striatum, an area that is related to approach motivation and is part of the reward circuitry. Specifically, OT increased activity in the dorsal striatum in the social blocks and decreased this activity in the non-social blocks. The results of the study strengthen the social salience theory regarding OT, indicating that OT does not uniformly affect all social responses and that context has a determining impact on our behavior.
Collapse
|
175
|
Cavalli J, Ruttorf M, Pahi MR, Zidda F, Flor H, Nees F. Oxytocin differentially modulates pavlovian cue and context fear acquisition. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 12:976-983. [PMID: 28402515 PMCID: PMC5472122 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear acquisition and extinction have been demonstrated as core mechanisms for the development and maintenance of mental disorders, with different contributions of processing cues vs contexts. The hypothalamic peptide oxytocin (OXT) may have a prominent role in this context, as it has been shown to affect fear learning. However, investigations have focused on cue conditioning, and fear extinction. Its differential role for cue and context fear acquisition is still not known. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLC)-controlled design, we administered an intranasal dose of OXT or PLC before the acquisition of cue and context fear conditioning in healthy individuals (n = 52), and assessed brain responses, skin conductance responses and self-reports (valence/arousal/contingency). OXT compared with PLC significantly induced decreased responses in the nucleus accumbens during early cue and context acquisition, and decreased responses of the anterior cingulate cortex and insula during early as well as increased hippocampal response during late context, but not cue acquisition. The OXT group additionally showed significantly higher arousal in late cue and context acquisition. OXT modulates various aspects of cue and context conditioning, which is relevant from a mechanism-based perspective and might have implications for the treatment of fear and anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Cavalli
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michaela Ruttorf
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mario Rosero Pahi
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Francesca Zidda
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
176
|
Betka S, Gould Van Praag C, Paloyelis Y, Bond R, Pfeifer G, Sequeira H, Duka T, Critchley H. Impact of intranasal oxytocin on interoceptive accuracy in alcohol users: an attentional mechanism? Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 13:440-448. [PMID: 29618101 PMCID: PMC5928407 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Interoception, i.e. the perception and appraisal of internal bodily signals, is related to the phenomenon of craving, and is reportedly disrupted in alcohol use disorders. The hormone oxytocin influences afferent transmission of bodily signals and, through its potential modulation of craving, is proposed as a possible treatment for alcohol use disorders. However, oxytocin's impact on interoception in alcohol users remains unknown. Healthy alcohol users (n = 32) attended two laboratory sessions to perform tests of interoceptive ability (heartbeat tracking: attending to internal signals and, heartbeat discrimination: integrating internal and external signals) after intranasal administration of oxytocin or placebo. Effects of interoceptive accuracy, oxytocin administration and alcohol intake, were tested using mixed-effects models. On the tracking task, oxytocin reduced interoceptive accuracy, but did not interact with alcohol consumption. On the discrimination task, we found an interaction between oxytocin administration and alcohol intake: Oxytocin, compared with placebo, increased interoceptive accuracy in heavy drinkers, but not in light social drinkers. Our study does not suggest a pure interoceptive impairment in alcohol users but instead potentially highlights reduced flexibility of internal and external attentional resource allocation. Importantly, this impairment seems to be mitigated by oxytocin. This attentional hypothesis needs to be explicitly tested in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Betka
- Clinical Imaging Science Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton BN1 9RY, UK
- Psychology Department, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RR, UK
- SCALab, CNRS UMR 9193, University of Lille, Lille 59045, France
| | | | - Yannis Paloyelis
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Rod Bond
- Psychology Department, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RR, UK
| | - Gaby Pfeifer
- Clinical Imaging Science Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton BN1 9RY, UK
| | | | - Theodora Duka
- Psychology Department, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RR, UK
- Sussex Addiction Research and Intervention Centre (SARIC), University of Sussex, BN1 9RR, UK
| | - Hugo Critchley
- Clinical Imaging Science Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton BN1 9RY, UK
- Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, BN1 9QJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
177
|
Green J, Garg S. Annual Research Review: The state of autism intervention science: progress, target psychological and biological mechanisms and future prospects. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2018; 59:424-443. [PMID: 29574740 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been recent systematic review of key evidence in psychosocial intervention in autism but little review of biological treatments. METHODS We analyse the current literature from the perspective of intervention and mechanism targets across social and biological development. RESULTS The overall quality of trials evidence in autism intervention remains relatively low, despite some recent progress. Many treatments in common use have little or no evidence base. This is very concerning in such an important disorder. A variety of psychosocial interventions can show effect to improve some short-term effects on children's immediate dyadic social interactions, for instance with caregivers. But showing true effectiveness in this developmental disorder requires generalisation of such effects into wider social contexts, on autism symptoms and in long-term progress in development. Only a few interventions so far have begun to show this. A number of early phase interventions on biological targets have shown real promise, but none has yet progressed to larger scale effectiveness trials on behavioural or symptom outcomes. CONCLUSIONS There has been enough progress in psychosocial intervention research now to be able to begin to identify some evidence-based practice in autism treatment. To consolidate and improve outcomes, the next phase of intervention research needs improved trial design, and an iterative approach building on success. It may also include the testing of potential synergies between promising biological and psychosocial interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Green
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Shruti Garg
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
178
|
Sex differences in the regulation of social and anxiety-related behaviors: insights from vasopressin and oxytocin brain systems. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018. [PMID: 29518698 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
To understand how the brain regulates behavior, many variables must be taken into account, with sex as a prominent variable. In this review, we will discuss recent human and rodent studies showing the sex-specific involvement of the neuropeptides vasopressin and oxytocin in social and anxiety-related behaviors. We discuss that sex differences can be evident at pre-pubertal ages as seen in the sex-specific regulation of social recognition, social play, and anxiety by the vasopressin system in juvenile rats. We further discuss that the oxytocin system in humans and rodents alters brain activation, anxiety, and sociosexual motivation in sex-specific ways. Finally, we propose that knowledge of vasopressin and oxytocin mediated sex-specific brain mechanisms can provide essential insights into how these neuropeptide systems contribute to sex-specific vulnerability as well as resilience to perturbations, with subsequent relevance to social and emotional disorders.
Collapse
|
179
|
Hurlemann R, Marsh N. Deciphering the modulatory role of oxytocin in human altruism. Rev Neurosci 2018; 28:335-342. [PMID: 28301323 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2016-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Unlike any other species, humans frequently engage in altruistic behaviors by which they increase another individual's welfare even if this implies personal costs. The psychological motives underlying altruistic behaviors remain diverse, ranging from the ability to reciprocate trust and cooperation to bonding and empathizing with family members or even genetically unrelated others. This article explores the neuroendocrine architecture of altruism by emphasizing the crucial role of the evolutionarily highly conserved peptide hormone oxytocin as a modulator of cooperative behaviors including empathy-driven altruism. However, accumulating evidence suggests that oxytocin does not invariably facilitate cooperation but also produces protective or even defensive-aggressive responses in specific social contexts. In addition, we highlight the relevance of message frames as critical determinants of whether the peptide promotes altruism toward prosocial ends.
Collapse
|
180
|
Donadon MF, Martin-Santos R, Osório FDL. The Associations Between Oxytocin and Trauma in Humans: A Systematic Review. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:154. [PMID: 29545749 PMCID: PMC5838009 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that traumatic experiences may affect hormonal systems mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the oxytocinergic system. This effect is the result of long-term impairments in hypothalamic structures and negative feedback mechanisms within the HPA axis, structures that mediate the response to stress. This deregulation reduces the production and release of cortisol and oxytocin (OXT), which may alter stress responses and lead to increased vulnerability to impairments from stressful experiences. The presence of gene polymorphisms might also have an impact on the vulnerability to psychopathology. We made a systematic review of articles dealing with the relationship between OXT and traumatic emotional experiences in humans. Thirty-five studies were reviewed and significant associations between experiences of emotional trauma (ET) and OXT were found. The main results showed that the presence of ET and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is strongly associated with reductions in endogenous OXT, and also that the acute effects of OXT administrations in individuals with ET tend to be anxiolytic only in less severe forms. In victims of recent traumatic experiences (RTE), OXT increased the re-experience of traumas and restored the function of different neural networks associated with fear control/extinction in PTSD patients. The results available also suggest that gene receptor polymorphisms may have a protective function in different outcomes after the experience of traumatic events. We conclude that the relationship between ET and OXT is multifaceted, complex, and mediated by contextual and individual factors. Directions for future studies are suggested considering the gaps in the available literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Fortunata Donadon
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rocio Martin-Santos
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Flávia de Lima Osório
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
181
|
Tully J, Gabay AS, Brown D, Murphy DGM, Blackwood N. The effect of intranasal oxytocin on neural response to facial emotions in healthy adults as measured by functional MRI: A systematic review. Psychiatry Res 2018; 272:17-29. [PMID: 29272737 PMCID: PMC6562202 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities in responses to human facial emotions are associated with a range of psychiatric disorders. Addressing these abnormalities may therefore have significant clinical applications. Previous meta-analyses have demonstrated effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin on behavioural response to facial emotions, and effects on brain, as measured by functional MRI. Evidence suggests that these effects may be mediated by sex and the role of eye gaze. However, the specific effect of oxytocin on brain response to facial emotions in healthy adults has not been systematically analysed. To address this question, this further systematic review was conducted. Twenty-two studies met our inclusion criteria. In men, oxytocin consistently attenuated brain activity in response to negative emotional faces, particularly fear, compared with placebo, while in women, oxytocin enhanced activity. Brain regions consistently involved included the amygdala, fusiform gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex. In some studies, oxytocin increased fixation changes towards the eyes with enhanced amygdala and/or fusiform gyrus activation. By enhancing understanding of emotion processing in healthy subjects, these pharmacoimaging studies provide a theoretical basis for studying deficits in clinical populations. However, progress to date has been limited by low statistical power, methodological heterogeneity, and a lack of multimodal studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Tully
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Anthony S Gabay
- Department of Neuroimaging, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Danielle Brown
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Declan G M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Blackwood
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
182
|
Rilling JK, Chen X, Chen X, Haroon E. Intranasal oxytocin modulates neural functional connectivity during human social interaction. Am J Primatol 2018; 80:e22740. [PMID: 29427292 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) modulates social behavior in primates and many other vertebrate species. Studies in non-primate animals have demonstrated that, in addition to influencing activity within individual brain areas, OT influences functional connectivity across networks of areas involved in social behavior. Previously, we used fMRI to image brain function in human subjects during a dyadic social interaction task following administration of either intranasal oxytocin (INOT) or placebo, and analyzed the data with a standard general linear model. Here, we conduct an extensive re-analysis of these data to explore how OT modulates functional connectivity across a neural network that animal studies implicate in social behavior. OT induced widespread increases in functional connectivity in response to positive social interactions among men and widespread decreases in functional connectivity in response to negative social interactions among women. Nucleus basalis of Meynert, an important regulator of selective attention and motivation with a particularly high density of OT receptors, had the largest number of OT-modulated connections. Regions known to receive mesolimbic dopamine projections such as the nucleus accumbens and lateral septum were also hubs for OT effects on functional connectivity. Our results suggest that the neural mechanism by which OT influences primate social cognition may include changes in patterns of activity across neural networks that regulate social behavior in other animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James K Rilling
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.,Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.,Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Xiangchuan Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ebrahim Haroon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| |
Collapse
|
183
|
Labuschagne I, Poudel G, Kordsachia C, Wu Q, Thomson H, Georgiou-Karistianis N, Stout JC. Oxytocin selectively modulates brain processing of disgust in Huntington's disease gene carriers. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 81:11-16. [PMID: 28947180 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
People with Huntington's disease (HD) exhibit altered processing of emotional information, especially disgust and other negative emotions. These impairments are likely due to the effects of the disease on underlying brain networks. We examined whether oxytocin, when given intranasally, would normalise aberrant brain reactivity to emotional faces in participants with the gene-expansion for HD. In a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design, we measured brain activity, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, whilst nine medication-free HD carriers, and ten control participants viewed emotional (disgust, fear, angry, sad, surprise, happy) and neutral faces, following acute intranasal oxytocin (24IU) and placebo. Subjective mood changes were assessed before and after the neuroimaging on each visit. Permutation-based non-parametric statistical testing for the whole brain, showed significant group×drug interactions (p's<0.05, TFCE corrected) in areas of the left frontal pole, superior frontal, and middle frontal gyri cortically, and left putamen and thalamus sub-cortically. Parameter estimates extracted from the middle frontal gyrus and putamen showed that, under placebo, the HD group had lower brain activity to disgust stimuli, compared with controls. After intranasal oxytocin, the pattern of activation to disgust stimuli was normalised in the HD group to similar levels as controls; eight of the nine HD carriers showed increased response in the middle frontal gyrus, and seven of the nine HD carriers showed increased response in the putamen. The observed effects of oxytocin occurred in the absence of changes in subjective mood or state anxiety. These findings provide early evidence for a physiological role of oxytocin in the neuropathology of HD. Our findings are the first reported oxytocin effects in a neurodegenerative disease. Further research should examine the therapeutic benefits of oxytocin in alleviating emotional and social cognition deficits in HD and related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izelle Labuschagne
- Cognition and Emotion Research Centre, School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Govinda Poudel
- Sydney Imaging, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Catarina Kordsachia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Qizhu Wu
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Shenzhen Sinorad Medical Electronics, Co., Ltd., Shekou, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hannah Thomson
- Cognition and Emotion Research Centre, School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Julie C Stout
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
184
|
Plessow F, Marengi DA, Perry SK, Felicione JM, Franklin R, Holmes TM, Holsen LM, Makris N, Deckersbach T, Lawson EA. Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on the Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent Signal in Food Motivation and Cognitive Control Pathways in Overweight and Obese Men. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:638-645. [PMID: 28930284 PMCID: PMC5770767 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent research indicates that the hypothalamic neuropeptide hormone oxytocin is a key central nervous system factor in the regulation of food intake and weight. However, the mechanisms underlying the anorexigenic effects of oxytocin in humans are unknown and critical to study to consider oxytocin as a neurohormonal weight loss treatment. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study with single-dose intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) in ten overweight or obese, otherwise healthy men. Following oxytocin/placebo administration, participants completed an established functional magnetic resonance imaging food motivation paradigm. We hypothesized that oxytocin would reduce the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal to high-calorie food vs non-food visual stimuli in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the origin of the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system. Following oxytocin administration, compared to placebo, participants showed bilateral VTA hypoactivation to high-calorie food stimuli. A secondary exploratory whole-brain analysis revealed hypoactivation in additional hedonic (orbitofrontal cortex, insula, globus pallidus, putamen, hippocampus, and amygdala) and homeostatic (hypothalamus) food motivation and hyperactivation in cognitive control (anterior cingulate and frontopolar cortex) brain regions following oxytocin administration vs placebo. Oxytocin administration reduces the BOLD signal in reward-related food motivation brain regions, providing a potential neurobiological mechanism for the anorexigenic oxytocin effects in humans. Furthermore, our data indicate that oxytocin administration reduces activation in homeostatic and increases activation in cognitive control brain regions critically involved in regulating food intake and resolving affective conflict, respectively. Future studies are required to link these changes in brain activation to oxytocin effects on food intake and weight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Plessow
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street BUL457B, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Tel: +1-617-726-0784; Fax: +1-617-726-5072; E-mail:
| | - Dean A Marengi
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sylvia K Perry
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julia M Felicione
- Division of Neurotherapeutics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Franklin
- Division of Neurotherapeutics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Tara M Holmes
- Clinical Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura M Holsen
- Division of Women’s Health, Department of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nikolaos Makris
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA,Center for Morphometric Analysis, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thilo Deckersbach
- Division of Neurotherapeutics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
185
|
Duque-Wilckens N, Steinman MQ, Busnelli M, Chini B, Yokoyama S, Pham M, Laredo SA, Hao R, Perkeybile AM, Minie VA, Tan PB, Bales KL, Trainor BC. Oxytocin Receptors in the Anteromedial Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Promote Stress-Induced Social Avoidance in Female California Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:203-213. [PMID: 29066224 PMCID: PMC5743604 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is a key regulator of social and emotional behaviors. The effects of OT are context dependent, and it has been proposed that OT increases the salience of both positive and negative social cues. Here we tested whether the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) mediates anxiogenic effects of OT. METHODS First, we studied the effects of systemic administration of an OT receptor (OTR) antagonist L-368,899 on social behavior in male and female California mice exposed to social defeat. We examined the effect of L-368,899 on G protein activation and used early growth response factor 1 immunohistochemistry to identify potential sites of OTR action. Finally, we examined the effects of L-368,899 infused in the BNST on behavior. RESULTS A single dose of systemic L-368,899 increased social approach in stressed female mice and decreased social approach in male mice naïve to defeat. L-368,899 prevented OT activation of G proteins and did not activate G proteins in the absence of OT. Intranasal OT, which reduces social approach in female mice but not male mice, increased early growth response factor 1 immunoreactivity in the nucleus accumbens core and anteromedial BNST in female mice but not in male mice. Stressed female mice that received an infusion of L-368,899 into the anteromedial BNST but not the nucleus accumbens core increased social approach and decreased social vigilance responses. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that OTR activation in anteromedial BNST induces a vigilance response in which individuals avoid, yet attend to, unfamiliar social contexts. Our results suggest that OTR antagonists may have unappreciated therapeutic potential for stress-induced psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Q Steinman
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Marta Busnelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, and Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Bice Chini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, and Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Sae Yokoyama
- Psychology Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Mary Pham
- Psychology Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Sarah A Laredo
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Rebecca Hao
- Psychology Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | | | - Vanessa A Minie
- Psychology Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Phillip B Tan
- Psychology Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Karen L Bales
- Psychology Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; Psychology Department, University of California, Davis, Davis, California.
| |
Collapse
|
186
|
Piva M, Chang SWC. An integrated framework for the role of oxytocin in multistage social decision-making. Am J Primatol 2018; 80:e22735. [PMID: 29350419 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Interest in the effects of oxytocin on social behavior has persisted even as an overarching theory describing these effects has remained largely elusive. Some of the earliest studies on the effects of oxytocin on social decision-making indicated that oxytocin might enhance prosocial actions directed toward others. This led to development of the prosocial hypothesis, which stipulates that oxytocin specifically enhances prosocial choices. However, further work indicated that oxytocin administration could elicit antisocial behaviors as well in certain social situations, highlighting the importance of context-dependent effects. At least two prominent hypotheses have been used to explain these seemingly contradictory findings. The social salience hypothesis indicates that the effects of oxytocin can be conceptualized as a general increase in the salience of social stimuli in the environment. Distinctly, the approach/withdrawal hypothesis stipulates that oxytocin enhances approach behaviors and decreases withdrawal behaviors. These phenomenologically motivated hypotheses regarding the effects of oxytocin on social behavior have created controversies in the field. In this review, we present a multistage framework of social decision-making designed to unify these disparate theories in a process common to all social decisions. We conceptualize this process as involving multiple distinct computational steps, including sensory input, sensory perception, valuation, decision formulation, and behavioral output. Iteratively, these steps generate social behaviors, and oxytocin could be acting on any of these steps to exert its effects. In support of this framework, we examine both behavioral and neural evidence across rodents, non-human primates, and humans, determining at what point in our multistage framework oxytocin could be eliciting its socially relevant effects. Finally, we postulate based on our framework that the prosocial, social salience, and approach/withdrawal hypotheses may not be mutually exclusive and could explain the influence of oxytocin on social behavior to different extents depending on context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Piva
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Steve W C Chang
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| |
Collapse
|
187
|
Colonnello V, Petrocchi N, Farinelli M, Ottaviani C. Positive Social Interactions in a Lifespan Perspective with a Focus on Opioidergic and Oxytocinergic Systems: Implications for Neuroprotection. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 15:543-561. [PMID: 27538784 PMCID: PMC5543675 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160816120209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, a growing interest has emerged in the beneficial effects of positive social interactions on health. The present work aims to review animal and human studies linking social interactions and health throughout the lifespan, with a focus on current knowledge of the possible mediating role of opioids and oxytocin. During the prenatal period, a positive social environment contributes to regulating maternal stress response and protecting the fetus from exposure to maternal active glucocorticoids. Throughout development, positive social contact with the caregiver acts as a “hidden regulator” and promotes infant neuroaffective development. Postnatal social neuroprotection interventions involving caregiver–infant physical contact seem to be crucial for rescuing preterm infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Attachment figures and friendships in adulthood continue to have a protective role for health and brain functioning, counteracting brain aging. In humans, implementation of meditative practices that promote compassionate motivation and prosocial behavior appears beneficial for health in adolescents and adults. Human and animal studies suggest the oxytocinergic and opioidergic systems are important mediators of the effects of social interactions. However, most of the studies focus on a specific phase of life (i.e., adulthood). Future studies should focus on the role of opioids and oxytocin in positive social interactions adopting a lifespan perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Colonnello
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna. Italy
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
188
|
Wang T, Shi C, Li X, Zhang P, Liu B, Wang H, Wang Y, Yang Y, Wu Y, Li H, Xu ZQD. Injection of oxytocin into paraventricular nucleus reverses depressive-like behaviors in the postpartum depression rat model. Behav Brain Res 2018; 336:236-243. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
189
|
Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, van IJzendoorn MH. Oxytocin and Human Sensitive and Protective Parenting. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2018; 35:421-448. [PMID: 29019101 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter we review the evidence for the role of oxytocin in parenting, and discuss some crucial but outstanding questions. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review of all studies on oxytocin and parenting in general. Instead, special attention will be paid to a dimension of parenting that has been largely neglected in behavioral and neurobiological research on parental caregiving, namely protection. Parental protection has received considerable attention in animal research but, despite its evolutionary importance, not in studies on humans. It is argued that oxytocin may have specific significance for the protective dimension of parenting. The effects of exogenous oxytocin may be dependent not only on contextual factors, but also on personal characteristics, most notably gender, on endogenous levels of oxytocin, and on early childhood experiences. Examining the contextual, personal, hormonal, neural, genetic, and behavioral mechanisms of protective parenting in tandem is essential for the development of a comprehensive theory of protective parenting, and for the identification of "biomarkers" for insensitive and unprotective parenting that should be taken into account in preventive parenting interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Graduate School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Center for Moral Socialization Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
190
|
|
191
|
Turcsán B, Range F, Rónai Z, Koller D, Virányi Z. Context and Individual Characteristics Modulate the Association between Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Social Behavior in Border Collies. Front Psychol 2017; 8:2232. [PMID: 29312078 PMCID: PMC5742244 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the relationship between endogenous oxytocin and social affiliative behavior can be critically moderated by contextual and individual factors in humans. While oxytocin has been shown to influence human-directed affiliative behaviors in dogs, no study investigated yet how such factors moderate these effects. Our study aimed to investigate whether the context and the dogs’ individual characteristics moderate the associations between the social affiliative (greeting) behavior and four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. We recorded the greeting behavior in three contexts: (1) when the dog first met an unfamiliar experimenter, (2) during a separation from the owner, and (3) after the experimenter approached the dog in a threatening manner. In the latter two contexts (during separation and after threatening), we categorized the dogs into stressed and non-stressed groups based on their behavior in the preceding situations. In line with previous studies, we found that polymorphisms in the OXTR gene are related to the greeting behavior of dogs. However, we also showed that the analyzed SNPs were associated with greeting in different contexts and in different individuals, suggesting that the four SNPs might be related to different functions of the oxytocin system. The -213A/G was associated with greeting only when the dog had no prior negative experience with the experimenter. The rs8679682 was found in association with greeting in all three contexts but these associations were significant only in non-stressed dogs. The -94T/C was associated with greeting only when the dog was stressed and had an interaction with the sex of the dog. The -74C/G SNP was associated with greeting only when the dog was stressed during separation and also had a sex interaction. Taken together, our results suggest that, similarly to humans, the effects of oxytocin on the dogs’ social behavior are not universal, but constrained by features of situations and individuals. Understanding these constraints helps further clarify how oxytocin mediates social behavior which, in the long run, could improve the application of oxytocin in pharmacotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Turcsán
- Comparative Cognition and Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Friederike Range
- Comparative Cognition and Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsolt Rónai
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Koller
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Virányi
- Comparative Cognition and Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
192
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current neuroimaging perspectives on a variety of mental disorders emphasize dysfunction of the amygdala. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT), a key mediator in the regulation of social cognition and behavior, accumulates in cerebrospinal fluid after intranasal administration in macaques and humans and modulates amygdala reactivity in both species. However, the translation of neuromodulatory OXT effects to novel treatment approaches is hampered by the absence of studies defining the most effective dose and dose-response latency for targeting the amygdala. METHODS To address this highly relevant issue, a total of 116 healthy men underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study design. The experimental rationale was to systematically vary dose-test latencies (15-40, 45-70, and 75-100 minutes) and doses of OXT (12, 24, and 48 international units) in order to identify the most robust effects on amygdala reactivity. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, subjects completed an emotional face recognition task including stimuli with varying intensities ranging from low (highly ambiguous) to high (less ambiguous). RESULTS Our results indicate that the OXT-induced inhibition of amygdala responses to fear was most effective in a time window between 45 and 70 minutes after administration of a dose of 24 international units. Furthermore, the observed effect was most evident in subjects scoring high on measures of autistic-like traits. Behavioral response patterns suggest that OXT specifically reduced an emotional bias in the perception of ambiguous faces. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide initial evidence of the most effective dose and dose-test interval for future experimental or therapeutic regimens aimed at targeting amygdala functioning using intranasal OXT administration.
Collapse
|
193
|
Abstract
Empathy is fundamental to human relations, but its neural substrates remain largely unknown. Here we characterize the involvement of oxytocin in the capacity of mice to display emotional state-matching, an empathy-like behavior. When exposed to a familiar conspecific demonstrator in distress, an observer mouse becomes fearful, as indicated by a tendency to freeze and subsequent efforts to escape. Both intranasal oxytocin administration and chemogenetic stimulation of oxytocin neurons render males sensitive to the distress of an unfamiliar mouse. Acute intranasal oxytocin penetrates the brain and enhances cellular activity within the anterior cingulate cortex, whereas chronic administration produces long-term facilitation of observational fear and downregulates oxytocin receptor expression in the amygdala. None of these manipulations affect fear acquired as a result of direct experience with the stressor. Hence, these results implicate oxytocin in observational fear in mice (rather than fear itself) and provide new avenues for examining the neural substrates of empathy. Oxytocin modulates social behaviours in mammals. Here the authors demonstrate that observational fear, a measure of empathy-like behaviour in rodents, is modulated by oxytocin.
Collapse
|
194
|
Oláh K, Topál J, Kovács K, Kis A, Koller D, Young Park S, Virányi Z. Gaze-Following and Reaction to an Aversive Social Interaction Have Corresponding Associations with Variation in the OXTR Gene in Dogs but Not in Human Infants. Front Psychol 2017; 8:2156. [PMID: 29312041 PMCID: PMC5732940 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that dogs' remarkable capacity to use human communicative signals lies in their comparable social cognitive skills; however, this view has been questioned recently. The present study investigated associations between oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphisms and social behavior in human infants and dogs with the aim to unravel potentially differential mechanisms behind their responsiveness to human gaze. Sixteen-month-old human infants (N = 99) and adult Border Collie dogs (N = 71) participated in two tasks designed to test (1) their use of gaze-direction as a cue to locate a hidden object, and (2) their reactions to an aversive social interaction (using the still face task for children and a threatening approach task for dogs). Moreover, we obtained DNA samples to analyze associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the OXTR (dogs: -213AG, -94TC, -74CG, rs8679682, children: rs53576, rs1042778, rs2254298) and behavior. We found that OXTR genotype was significantly associated with reactions to an aversive social interaction both in dogs and children, confirming the anxiolytic effect of oxytocin in both species. In dogs, the genotypes linked to less fearful behavior were associated also with a higher willingness to follow gaze whereas in children, OXTR gene polymorphisms did not affect gaze following success. This pattern of gene-behavior associations suggests that for dogs the two situations are more alike (potentially fear-inducing or competitive) than for human children. This raises the possibility that, in contrast to former studies proposing human-like cooperativeness in dogs, dogs may perceive human gaze in an object-choice task in a more antagonistic manner than children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Oláh
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Cognitive Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - József Topál
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Kovács
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Kis
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Koller
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Soon Young Park
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsófia Virányi
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
195
|
Rubin LH, Yao L, Keedy SK, Reilly JL, Bishop JR, Carter CS, Pournajafi-Nazarloo H, Drogos LL, Tamminga CA, Pearlson GD, Keshavan MS, Clementz BA, Hill SK, Liao W, Ji GJ, Lui S, Sweeney JA. Sex differences in associations of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin with resting-state functional brain connectivity. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:576-586. [PMID: 27870395 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) exert robust and sexually dimorphic influences on cognition and emotion. How these hormones regulate relevant functional brain systems is not well understood. OT and AVP serum concentrations were assayed in 60 healthy individuals (36 women). Brain functional networks assessed with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) were constructed with graph theory-based approaches that characterize brain networks as connected nodes. Sex differences were demonstrated in rs-fMRI. Men showed higher nodal degree (connectedness) and efficiency (information propagation capacity) in left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG) and higher nodal degree in left rolandic operculum. Women showed higher nodal betweenness (being part of paths between nodes) in right putamen and left inferior parietal gyrus (IPG). Higher hormone levels were associated with less intrinsic connectivity. In men, higher AVP was associated with lower nodal degree and efficiency in left IFG (pars orbitalis) and left STG and less efficiency in left IFG (pars triangularis). In women, higher AVP was associated with lower betweenness in left IPG, and higher OT was associated with lower nodal degree in left IFG (pars orbitalis). Hormones differentially correlate with brain networks that are important for emotion processing and cognition in men and women. AVP in men and OT in women may regulate orbital frontal cortex connectivity, which is important in emotion processing. Hormone associations with STG and pars triangularis in men and parietal cortex in women may account for well-established sex differences in verbal and visuospatial abilities, respectively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leah H Rubin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Li Yao
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Sarah K Keedy
- Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - James L Reilly
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jeffrey R Bishop
- Pharmacy and Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | | | - Lauren L Drogos
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carol A Tamminga
- Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Godfrey D Pearlson
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Yale University and Olin Neuropsychiatric Research Center, Hartford, Connecticut
| | - Matcheri S Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brett A Clementz
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Scot K Hill
- Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - Wei Liao
- Center for Information in Biomedicine, Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Gong-Jun Ji
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Department of Medical Psychology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Su Lui
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - John A Sweeney
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
196
|
Nawijn L, van Zuiden M, Koch SBJ, Frijling JL, Veltman DJ, Olff M. Intranasal oxytocin increases neural responses to social reward in post-traumatic stress disorder. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2017; 12:212-223. [PMID: 27614769 PMCID: PMC5390752 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsw123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic alliance and perceived social support are important predictors of treatment response for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intranasal oxytocin administration may enhance treatment response by increasing sensitivity for social reward and thereby therapeutic alliance and perceived social support. As a first step to investigate this therapeutical potential, we investigated whether intranasal oxytocin enhances neural sensitivity to social reward in PTSD patients. Male and female police officers with (n = 35) and without PTSD (n = 37) were included in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over fMRI study. After intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) and placebo administration, a social incentive delay task was conducted to investigate neural responses during social reward and punishment anticipation and feedback. Under placebo, PTSD patients showed reduced left anterior insula (AI) responses to social rewards (i.e. happy faces) compared with controls. Oxytocin administration increased left AI responses during social reward in PTSD patients, such that PTSD patients no longer differed from controls under placebo. Furthermore, in PTSD patients, oxytocin increased responses to social reward in the right putamen. By normalizing abberant insula responses and increasing putamen responses to social reward, oxytocin administration may enhance sensitivity for social support and therapeutic alliance in PTSD patients. Future studies are needed to investigate clinical effects of oxytocin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nawijn
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam van Zuiden
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia B J Koch
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jessie L Frijling
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dick J Veltman
- Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007?MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Miranda Olff
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Nienoord 5, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
197
|
Dinsdale NL, Crespi BJ. Revisiting the wandering womb: Oxytocin in endometriosis and bipolar disorder. Horm Behav 2017; 96:69-83. [PMID: 28919554 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Hippocrates attributed women's high emotionality - hysteria - to a 'wandering womb'. Although hysteria diagnoses were abandoned along with the notion that displaced wombs cause emotional disturbance, recent research suggests that elevated levels of oxytocin occur in both bipolar disorder and endometriosis, a gynecological condition involving migration of endometrial tissue beyond the uterus. We propose and evaluate the hypothesis that elevated oxytocinergic system activity jointly contributes to bipolar disorder and endometriosis. First, we provide relevant background on endometriosis and bipolar disorder, and then we examine evidence for comorbidity between these conditions. We next: (1) review oxytocin's associations with personality traits, especially extraversion and openness, and how they overlap with bipolar spectrum traits; (2) describe evidence for higher oxytocinergic activity in both endometriosis and bipolar disorder; (3) examine altered hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis functioning in both conditions; (4) describe data showing that medications that treat one condition can improve symptoms of the other; (5) discuss fitness-related impacts of endometriosis and bipolar disorder; and (6) review a pair of conditions, polycystic ovary syndrome and autism, that show evidence of involving reduced oxytocinergic activity, in direct contrast to endometriosis and bipolar disorder. Considered together, the bipolar spectrum and endometriosis appear to involve dysregulated high extremes of normally adaptive pleiotropy in the female oxytocin system, whereby elevated levels of oxytocinergic activity coordinate outgoing sociality with heightened fertility, apparently characterizing, overall, a faster life history. These findings should prompt a re-examination of how mind-body interactions, and the pleiotropic endocrine systems that underlie them, contribute to health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie L Dinsdale
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby V5A 1S6, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, 9 Campus Drive, 154 Arts, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 5A5, SK, Canada.
| | - Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby V5A 1S6, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
198
|
Baskaran C, Plessow F, Silva L, Asanza E, Marengi D, Eddy KT, Sluss PM, Johnson ML, Misra M, Lawson EA. Oxytocin secretion is pulsatile in men and is related to social-emotional functioning. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 85:28-34. [PMID: 28800490 PMCID: PMC5636187 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.07.486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The hypothalamic hormone oxytocin (OXT) plays an important role in a range of physiological processes and social-emotional functioning in both sexes. In women, physiological stimuli, such as suckling and parturition, result in pulsatile release of OXT into the peripheral circulation via the posterior pituitary gland. However, data regarding OXT secretory patterns in men during a state of rest are limited. Further, the relationship between secretory dynamics of OXT and emotional measures has never been evaluated. We hypothesized a pulsatile pattern of OXT secretion in men, and explored the relationship between OXT secretory patterns and social-emotional functioning. METHODS Deconvolution analysis was performed on serum OXT levels obtained every 5min over a period of 10h in 5 healthy normal weight men. Area under the curve (AUC), average OXT values, and pulse characteristics [pulse number, inter-pulse interval, pulse height and mass (area under each pulse)] were calculated. State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM) assessed types of human attachment. Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) assessed perception of social support. Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) measured the ability to express and identify one's own emotions. RESULTS Mean age was 22.8±1.2years, and BMI was 21.7±0.4kg/m2 (mean±SEM). Assuming a basal secretion of zero and a half life of five to seven minutes, we demonstrated the following: OXT AUC: 5421±1331pg/ml, mean OXT level: 9.1pg/ml, mean pulse number: 22±3/10hr, mean pulse height: 1.81±0.48pg/ml, mean pulse mass: 30.34±10.29pg/ml and mean inter-pulse interval: 27±4min. The SAAM Avoidant scale correlated negatively with mean OXT pulse height (r=-0.90, p=0.04) and pulse mass (r=-0.95, p=0.01). The ISEL Belonging score correlated positively with OXT AUC (r=0.89, p=0.04) and average OXT (r=0.93, p=0.02). ISEL Appraisal score also had a positive association with mean OXT pulse height (r=0.99, p=0.0006) and pulse mass (r=0.98, p=0.003). Finally, ISEL total score had a significant correlation with average OXT values (r=0.90, p=0.04). While none of the subjects had a score in the alexithymia range, TAS-20 Difficulty describing feelings score had an inverse correlation with OXT pulse height (r=-0.96, p=0.01) and pulse mass (r=-0.99, p=0.001). TAS-20 total score also had an inverse correlation with OXT pulse height (r=-0.94, p=0.02) and pulse mass (r=-0.96, p=0.009). CONCLUSION We demonstrate a pulsatile pattern of peripheral OXT secretion in healthy men at rest. Subjects with lower OXT pulse height and pulse mass had a more avoidant style of attachment, felt less supported, and expressed greater difficulty in describing their feelings. Our findings support the concept that OXT is a key mediator of social-emotional functioning. Future studies to determine causality are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charu Baskaran
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Franziska Plessow
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisseth Silva
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elisa Asanza
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dean Marengi
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kamryn T. Eddy
- Eating Disorder Clinical Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick M Sluss
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Johnson
- Departments of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Madhusmita Misra
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
199
|
Reijnen A, Geuze E, Vermetten E. Individual variation in plasma oxytocin and vasopressin levels in relation to the development of combat-related PTSD in a large military cohort. J Psychiatr Res 2017; 94:88-95. [PMID: 28689067 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In an attempt to decrease the risk of developing mental health problems after military deployment, it is important to find biological markers to identify those at risk. Oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are potential biomarkers for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they are involved in the regulation of stress and anxiety. Therefore, the aim was to examine whether plasma OT (pOT) and AVP (pAVP) levels before and after deployment are biomarkers for the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms over time in addition to other known risk factors. This study is part of a large prospective cohort study on candidate markers for stress-related mental health symptoms and resiliency after deployment to a combat zone; Prospective Research in Stress-related Military Operations (PRISMO; N = 907). Data was collected prior to deployment and follow-ups were performed at 1 and 6 months, and 1, 2, and 5 years post-deployment. Blood samples were collected in the first three assessments. The levels of pOT and pAVP were not significantly related to the development of PTSD symptoms over time. The results confirm that age, the experience of early life trauma, combat-related stressors and the presence of depressive symptoms are predictive for the development of PTSD symptoms over time. These findings showed that peripherally measured OT and AVP currently do not qualify as useful susceptibility biomarkers for the development of PTSD symptoms over time in military men after combat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alieke Reijnen
- Research Centre, Military Mental Healthcare, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Elbert Geuze
- Research Centre, Military Mental Healthcare, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Research Centre, Military Mental Healthcare, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Arq, Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
200
|
Kis A, Hernádi A, Miklósi B, Kanizsár O, Topál J. The Way Dogs ( Canis familiaris) Look at Human Emotional Faces Is Modulated by Oxytocin. An Eye-Tracking Study. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:210. [PMID: 29163082 PMCID: PMC5671652 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs have been shown to excel in reading human social cues, including facial cues. In the present study we used eye-tracking technology to further study dogs' face processing abilities. It was found that dogs discriminated between human facial regions in their spontaneous viewing pattern and looked most to the eye region independently of facial expression. Furthermore dogs played most attention to the first two images presented, afterwards their attention dramatically decreases; a finding that has methodological implications. Increasing evidence indicates that the oxytocin system is involved in dogs' human-directed social competence, thus as a next step we investigated the effects of oxytocin on processing of human facial emotions. It was found that oxytocin decreases dogs' looking to the human faces expressing angry emotional expression. More interestingly, however, after oxytocin pre-treatment dogs' preferential gaze toward the eye region when processing happy human facial expressions disappears. These results provide the first evidence that oxytocin is involved in the regulation of human face processing in dogs. The present study is one of the few empirical investigations that explore eye gaze patterns in naïve and untrained pet dogs using a non-invasive eye-tracking technique and thus offers unique but largely untapped method for studying social cognition in dogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kis
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Hernádi
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Orsolya Kanizsár
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - József Topál
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|