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Periaqueductal gray and emotions: the complexity of the problem and the light at the end of the tunnel, the magnetic resonance imaging. Endocr Regul 2018; 52:222-238. [DOI: 10.2478/enr-2018-0027] [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: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is less referred in relationship with emotions than other parts of the brain (e.g. cortex, thalamus, amygdala), most probably because of the difficulty to reach and manipulate this small and deeply lying structure. After defining how to evaluate emotions, we have reviewed the literature and summarized data of the PAG contribution to the feeling of emotions focusing on the behavioral and neurochemical considerations. In humans, emotions can be characterized by three main domains: the physiological changes, the communicative expressions, and the subjective experiences. In animals, the physiological changes can mainly be studied. Indeed, early studies have considered the PAG as an important center of the emotions-related autonomic and motoric processes. However, in vivo imaging have changed our view by highlighting the PAG as a significant player in emotions-related cognitive processes. The PAG lies on the crossroad of networks important in the regulation of emotions and therefore it should not be neglected. In vivo imaging represents a good tool for studying this structure in living organism and may reveal new information about its role beyond its importance in the neurovegetative regulation.
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Maupin AN, Roginiel AC, Rutherford HJV, Mayes LC. A Preliminary Review of Whether Prior Reproductive Experience Influences Caregiving. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 2016; 2016:73-86. [DOI: 10.1002/cad.20169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Linda C. Mayes
- Yale Child Study Center
- Sewanee: The University of the South
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Bridges RS. Long-term alterations in neural and endocrine processes induced by motherhood in mammals. Horm Behav 2016; 77:193-203. [PMID: 26388065 PMCID: PMC4724454 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Parental Care". The reproductive experience of pregnancy, lactation and motherhood can significantly remodel the female's biological state, affecting endocrine, neuroendocrine, neural, and immunological processes. The brain, pituitary gland, liver, thymus, and mammary tissue are among the structures that are modified by reproductive experience. The present review that focuses on rodent research, but also includes pertinent studies in sheep and other species, identifies specific changes in these processes brought about by the biological states of pregnancy, parturition, and lactation and how the components of reproductive experience contribute to the remodeling of the maternal brain and organ systems. Findings indicate that prior parity alters key circulating hormone levels and neural receptor gene expression. Moreover, reproductive experience results in modifications in neural processes and glial support. The possible role of pregnancy-induced neurogenesis is considered in the context of neuroplasticity and behavior, and the effects of reproductive experience on maternal memory, i.e. the retention of maternal behavior, together with anxiety and learning are presented. Together, these sets of findings support the concept that the neural and biological state of the adult female is significantly and dramatically altered on a long-term basis by the experiences of parity and motherhood. Remodeling of the maternal brain and other biological systems is posited to help facilitate adaptations to environmental/ecological challenges as the female raises young and ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Bridges
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA.
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Cruz WS, Pereira LA, Cezar LC, Camarini R, Felicio LF, Bernardi MM, Teodorov E. Role of steroid hormones and morphine treatment in the modulation of opioid receptor gene expression in brain structures in the female rat. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:355. [PMID: 26191482 PMCID: PMC4503706 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1021-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study determined the effects of acute treatment with morphine on the expression of the Oprm1, Oprk1, and Oprd1 genes (which encode μ, κ, and δ receptors, respectively) in the striatum, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray (PAG) in ovariectomized female rats treated with estrogen. Ovariectomized female rats were divided into five equal groups. Two groups received estrogen (50 µg/kg, 54 h before testing) and saline (ES group) or 3.5 mg/kg morphine (EM group) 2 h before euthanasia. The SS group received saline solution 54 and 2 h before the experiments. The SM group received saline 54 h and 3.5 mg/kg morphine 2 h before the experiments. The W group remained undisturbed. The genes expression were evaluated. Oprm1 and Oprk1 expression were activated, respectively, in the hypothalamus and PAG and in the striatum and PAG by morphine only in estrogen-treated animals. Oprd1 expression in the hypothalamus and PAG was activated by morphine in both estrogen-treated and -nontreated animals. The Oprm1 and Oprk1 gene response to morphine might depend on estrogen, whereas the Oprd1 gene response to morphine might not depend on estrogen, supporting the hypothesis of a functional role for ovarian hormones in opioid receptor-mediated functional adaptations in the female brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Soares Cruz
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Dr. Bacelar, São Paulo, CEP 04026-002 Brazil
| | - Lucas Assis Pereira
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Dr. Bacelar, São Paulo, CEP 04026-002 Brazil
| | - Luana Carvalho Cezar
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Dr. Bacelar, São Paulo, CEP 04026-002 Brazil
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 2415, Cidade Universitária, SP CEP 05508-900 Brazil
| | - Luciano Freitas Felicio
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, CEP 05508 270 Brazil
| | - Maria Martha Bernardi
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Dr. Bacelar, São Paulo, CEP 04026-002 Brazil ; Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Av. Dos Estados, 5001, Santo André, CEP 09210-971 Brazil ; Av dos Estados, 5001, Santo André, SP CEP 09210-970 Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Teodorov
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Av. Dos Estados, 5001, Santo André, CEP 09210-971 Brazil
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Teodorov E, Camarini R, Bernardi M, Felicio L. Treatment with steroid hormones and morphine alters general activity, sexual behavior, and opioid gene expression in female rats. Life Sci 2014; 104:47-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2011 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Teodorov E, Ferrari M, Fior-Chadi D, Camarini R, Felício L. Behavioral meaningful opioidergic stimulation activates kappa receptor gene expression. Braz J Med Biol Res 2012; 45:982-7. [PMID: 22641418 PMCID: PMC3854178 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2012007500091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The periaqueductal gray (PAG) has been reported to be a location for opioid regulation of pain and a potential site for behavioral selection in females. Opioid-mediated behavioral and physiological responses differ according to the activity of opioid receptor subtypes. The present study investigated the effects of the peripheral injection of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593 into the dorsal subcutaneous region of animals on maternal behavior and on Oprk1 gene activity in the PAG of female rats. Female Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g at the beginning of the study were randomly divided into 2 groups for maternal behavior and gene expression experiments. On day 5, pups were removed at 7:00 am and placed in another home cage that was distant from their mother. Thirty minutes after removing the pups, the dams were treated with U69593 (0.15 mg/kg, sc) or 0.9% saline (up to 1 mL/kg) and after 30 min were evaluated in the maternal behavior test. Latencies in seconds for pup retrieval, grouping, crouching, and full maternal behavior were scored. The results showed that U69593 administration inhibited maternal behavior (P < 0.05) because a lower percentage of kappa group dams showed retrieval of first pup, retrieving all pups, grouping, crouching and displaying full maternal behavior compared to the saline group. Opioid gene expression was evaluated using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A single injection of U69593 increased Oprk1 PAG expression in both virgin (P < 0.05) and lactating female rats (P < 0.01), with no significant effect on Oprm1 or Oprd1 gene activity. Thus, the expression of kappa-opioid receptors in the PAG may be modulated by single opioid receptor stimulation and behavioral meaningful opioidergic transmission in the adult female might occur simultaneously to specific changes in gene expression of kappa-opioid receptor subtype. This is yet another alert for the complex role of the opioid system in female reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Teodorov
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - M.F.R. Ferrari
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - D.R. Fior-Chadi
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - R. Camarini
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - L.F. Felício
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Schwandt ML, Lindell SG, Higley JD, Suomi SJ, Heilig M, Barr CS. OPRM1 gene variation influences hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in response to a variety of stressors in rhesus macaques. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2011; 36:1303-11. [PMID: 21459516 PMCID: PMC3131436 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2010] [Revised: 01/20/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous opioid system is involved in modulating a number of behavioral and physiological systems, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In humans, a functional variant in the OPRM1 gene (OPRM1 A118G) is associated with a number of outcomes, including attenuated HPA axis responses to stress. A nonsynonymous variant (OPRM1 C77G) in the rhesus macaque has been shown to have similar effects in vivo to the human variant. The current study investigated whether OPRM1 C77G influences HPA axis response to stress in rhesus macaques. We analyzed plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels measured in response to three different stressors: (1) maternal separation in infant subjects at 6 months of age, (2) acute ethanol administration in adolescent subjects at 4 years of age, and (3) postpartum HPA axis function in adult rhesus macaque females. For the maternal separation paradigm, ACTH and cortisol levels were determined at baseline as well as peak levels during each of 4 consecutive separation episodes. For the acute ethanol administration paradigm, hormone levels were determined at baseline and again at 5 min, 10 min, and 60 min following the ethanol infusion. For postpartum sampling, hormone levels were determined at postpartum days 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150. Infants carrying the 77G allele exhibited lower levels of cortisol across all 4 separation episodes. Furthermore, adolescents carrying the 77G allele exhibited lower cortisol levels at 5 and 10 min following acute ethanol administration. Adult females with prior reproductive experience and who carry the 77G allele exhibited lower cortisol levels across the postpartum period. No significant genotype effects were found for ACTH, although there were some trends for lower ACTH levels in 77G allele carriers. These data are consistent with human studies that have demonstrated attenuated cortisol responses to stress among carriers of the OPRM1 118G allele, lending further support to the argument that the rhesus and human allelic variants are functionally similar. Our results also suggest that OPRM1 variation may influence coping style, as well as alcohol-induced and postpartum levels of HPA axis activity and, as such, may modify vulnerability to alcohol use disorders and postpartum depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie L. Schwandt
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, NIH/NIAAA, Bethesda, MD,Corresponding Author: Melanie Schwandt, 10 Center Drive, 10CRC/1-5330, Bethesda, MD 20892. Phone: 301-451-6960. Fax: 301-402-0445
| | - Stephen G. Lindell
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, NIH/NIAAA, Bethesda, MD,Section of Comparative Behavioral Genomics, LNG, NIH/NIAAA, Rockville, MD
| | - James D. Higley
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | | | - Markus Heilig
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, NIH/NIAAA, Bethesda, MD
| | - Christina S. Barr
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, NIH/NIAAA, Bethesda, MD,Section of Comparative Behavioral Genomics, LNG, NIH/NIAAA, Rockville, MD
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