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Shinohara S, Horiuchi S, Shinohara R, Otawa S, Kushima M, Miyake K, Yui H, Kojima R, Ooka T, Akiyama Y, Yokomichi H, Yamagata Z. A nationwide, prospective, cohort study on exogenous oxytocin and delays in early child development: the Japan environment and children's study. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:4059-4068. [PMID: 37395828 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05079-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Although it remains debatable, exogenous oxytocin, commonly used for labour induction and augmentation, reportedly increases risks of neurodevelopment delay, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder among children prenatally exposed to exogenous oxytocin. However, only few studies have objectively examined exogenous oxytocin's impact on early childhood development through scoring evaluations. This study investigated the association between exogenous oxytocin exposure and neurodevelopment in 3-year-old children using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition. In this nationwide prospective cohort study, we extracted data from 104,062 foetal records regarding exogenous oxytocin use during labour from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Participants completed questionnaires throughout the pregnancy and postpartum periods. Outcomes comprised the developmental status less than each cut-off value for the five domains of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses on the data of 55,400 children after controlling for confounders. Among the 55,400 included women, 19.0% (n = 10,506) used exogenous oxytocin during labour and 81.0% (n = 44,894) did not. Children exposed to exogenous oxytocin showed no significantly increased risk of developmental delay in any domain (communication: odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-1.16; gross motor: OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.87-1.08; fine motor: OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.92-1.09; problem-solving: OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.94-1.11; personal-social: OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.80-1.03). Conclusion: Exogenous oxytocin for labour induction did not adversely affect early childhood development. Further studies accounting for the degree of exogenous oxytocin exposure are required to confirm these results. What is Known: • In developed countries, labour is induced in 20-25% of all pregnancies, for which oxytocin is commonly used. • Studies have associated risks of neurodevelopment delay, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder with exposure to exogenous oxytocin. What is New: • Evaluation with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition, revealed that exogenous oxytocin use did not adversely affect early childhood development. • This prospective study reinforced the lack of evidence of an association between exogenous oxytocin use and early childhood development after adjustment for confounding and rigorous bias elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Shinohara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, 1-1-1 Fujimi, Kofu, Yamanashi, 400-8506, Japan.
| | - Sayaka Horiuchi
- Center for Birth Cohort Studies, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Ryoji Shinohara
- Center for Birth Cohort Studies, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Sanae Otawa
- Center for Birth Cohort Studies, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Megumi Kushima
- Center for Birth Cohort Studies, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kunio Miyake
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Hideki Yui
- Center for Birth Cohort Studies, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Reiji Kojima
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tadao Ooka
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yuka Akiyama
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yokomichi
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Zentaro Yamagata
- Center for Birth Cohort Studies, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
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Muscatelli F. [As early as birth, oxytocin plays a key role in both food and social behavior]. Biol Aujourdhui 2023; 216:131-143. [PMID: 36744979 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2022017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohormone that regulates the so-called "social brain" and is mainly studied in adulthood. During postnatal development, the mechanisms by which the OT system structures various behaviors are little studied. Here we present the dynamic process of postnatal development of the OT system as well as the OT functions in the perinatal period that are essential for shaping social behaviors. Specifically, we discuss the role of OT, in the newborn, in integrating and adapting responses to early sensory stimuli and in stimulating suckling activity. Sensory dialogue and suckling are involved in mother-infant bonds and structure future social interactions. In rodents and humans, neurodevelopmental diseases with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), such as Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes, are associated with sensory, feeding and behavioral deficits in infancy. We propose that in early postnatal life, OT plays a key role in stimulating the maturation of neural networks controlling feeding behavior and early social interactions from birth. Administration of OT at birth improves sensory integration of environmental factors and the relationship with the mother as well as sucking activity as we have shown in mouse models and in babies with Prader-Willi syndrome. Long-term effects have also been observed on social and cognitive behavior. Therefore, early feeding difficulties might be an early predictive marker of ASD, and OT treatment a promising option to improve feeding behavior and, in the longer term, social behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Muscatelli
- INMED (Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée), INSERM, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
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Muscatelli F, Matarazzo V, Chini B. Neonatal oxytocin gives the tempo of social and feeding behaviors. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1071719. [PMID: 36583080 PMCID: PMC9792990 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1071719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) is a master regulator of the social brain in early infancy, adolescence, and adult life. Here, we review the postnatal dynamic development of OT-system as well as early-life OT functions that are essential for shaping social behaviors. We specifically address the role of OT in neonates, focusing on its role in modulating/adapting sensory input and feeding behavior; both processes are involved in the establishing mother-infant bond, a crucial event for structuring all future social interactions. In patients and rodent models of Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes, two neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by autism-related features, sensory impairments, and feeding difficulties in early infancy are linked to an alteration of OT-system. Successful preclinical studies in mice and a phase I/II clinical trial in Prader-Willi babies constitute a proof of concept that OT-treatment in early life not only improves suckling deficit but has also a positive long-term effect on learning and social behavior. We propose that in early postnatal life, OT plays a pivotal role in stimulating and coordinating the maturation of neuronal networks controlling feeding behavior and the first social interactions. Consequently, OT therapy might be considered to improve feeding behavior and, all over the life, social cognition, and learning capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Muscatelli
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), INSERM, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France,*Correspondence: Françoise Muscatelli,
| | - Valery Matarazzo
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), INSERM, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Bice Chini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Vedano al Lambro, Italy and NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Soumier A, Habart M, Lio G, Demily C, Sirigu A. Differential fate between oxytocin and vasopressin cells in the developing mouse brain. iScience 2022; 25:103655. [PMID: 35028535 PMCID: PMC8741612 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), two neuropeptides involved in socio-emotional behaviors have been anatomically defined in the adult brain. Yet their spatial organization during postnatal development is not clearly defined. We built a developmental atlas using 3D imaging of cleared immunolabeled tissue over four early postnatal (P) stages, from birth (P0, P3, P7, P14) to young adulthood (≥P56). Our atlas-based mapping revealed that the number of OXT neurons doubles according to unique temporal dynamics in selective hypothalamic regions, namely, the periventricular and paraventricular nuclei, and in a novel location we named the antero-lateral preoptic. In the paraventricular nucleus, single-cell densities and fluorescence analysis demonstrated selective expansion of OXT cells in the antero-ventral division, whereas the postero-dorsal division contained cells present at birth. No changes were observed for AVP neurons. Our findings show the coexisting of innate and plastic OXT/AVP brain circuits probably triggered by environmental adaptation of the social brain. The OXT system continues to mature during early development but not the AVP system OXT hypothalamic nuclei emerge at different rates after birth PVN cells gradually acquire an oxytocinergic phenotype OXT cells are organized into innate and adaptive neural networks
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Soumier
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Marie Habart
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Guillaume Lio
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Caroline Demily
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Angela Sirigu
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
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Pryluk R, Sirigu A, Paz R. Two sides of the same amygdala: From shared neural mechanisms to comorbidity of social and affective disorders. Neuron 2021; 109:3908-3911. [PMID: 34914919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies identified a circuitry within the primate amygdala that underlies both social and affective processes. Such shared functions within the same circuit, although beneficial for adaptive behavior and make sense in light of evolution, can also contribute to the growing comorbidity between affective and social disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raviv Pryluk
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Angela Sirigu
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod, CNRS and iMIND Center of Excellence for Autism, Vinatier Psychiatric Hospital, Lyon, France.
| | - Rony Paz
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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Rung JM, Horta M, Tammi EM, Perez E, Ojeda MC, Lin T, Harris G, Somerville J, Salmeron D, Beltz SE, Sandesara B, Feifel D, Ebner NC. Safety and tolerability of chronic intranasal oxytocin in older men: results from a randomized controlled trial. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2405-2418. [PMID: 33982141 PMCID: PMC8115997 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05862-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Most studies evaluating the safety and tolerability of intranasal oxytocin (OT) have not reported consistent adverse events (AEs), but they have largely focused on young men and single-dose administration. Thus, it is unclear whether these findings translate to older individuals and with longer administration periods. OBJECTIVE Extending previous work, this study investigated the safety and tolerability of chronic intranasal OT in generally healthy older men. METHODS Data were from a randomized, placebo (P)-controlled, double-blind clinical trial evaluating the effects of 4 weeks of self-administered intranasal OT (24 IU twice daily) in older adults with no major physical or cognitive impairments. Heart rate, blood pressure, urine osmolality, and serum metabolic biomarkers were obtained before and at the end of the intervention. AEs were collected during the first 3 weeks and 1 week after cessation of treatment. RESULTS Of 103 participants recruited, 95 were randomized and received the intervention (OT = 49, P = 46). OT had no significant impact on cardiovascular, urine, or serum measures. The AEs reported for both treatments were generally mild and few in number, though one participant assigned to OT and two assigned to P dropped out due to AEs. Relative to P, OT did not significantly increase the likelihood of reporting AEs, nor the number or severity of AEs reported. CONCLUSION Chronic intranasal OT appears safe and well-tolerated in generally healthy older men. These findings provide support for continued human research on potential benefits of chronic OT in older adult populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian M Rung
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Marilyn Horta
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Erin M Tammi
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Eliany Perez
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Marite C Ojeda
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Tian Lin
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Griffin Harris
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Jessie Somerville
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Dinia Salmeron
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Susan E Beltz
- Investigational Drug Service, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Bhanuprasad Sandesara
- Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David Feifel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Natalie C Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Jenabi E, Seyedi M, Bashirian S, Fereidooni B. Is there an association between labor induction and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children? Clin Exp Pediatr 2021; 64:489-493. [PMID: 33561338 PMCID: PMC8426101 DOI: 10.3345/cep.2020.01557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence of destructive effects of oxytocin use during labor on neurodevelopment. PURPOSE This meta-analysis pooled all observational studies to determine the association between labor induction and the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children. METHODS All observational studies (case-control and cohort) were reviewed until September 2020 after searches of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, the gray literature, and conference proceedings. The pooled odds ratios (ORs), relative ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CI (swere calculated as random effect estimates of association among studies. RESULTS All observational studies were reviewed, including 4 cohort studies including 2,885,743 participants and 3 casecontrol studies including 51,135 participants (10,961 with ADHD and 40,174 in control groups) with a sample size of 2,936,878 participants. The pooled estimates of OR and RR did not indicate a significant association between labor induction and ADHD among children (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.90-1.35) and (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.96-1.24). CONCLUSIONS The findings showed that labor induction is not associated with an increased risk of ADHD among children. However, more studies are needed to investigate the relationship between labor induction and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensiyeh Jenabi
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Seyedi
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Saeid Bashirian
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Wirth S, Soumier A, Eliava M, Derdikman D, Wagner S, Grinevich V, Sirigu A. Territorial blueprint in the hippocampal system. Trends Cogn Sci 2021; 25:831-842. [PMID: 34281765 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
As we skillfully navigate through familiar places, neural computations of distances and coordinates escape our attention. However, we perceive clearly the division of space into socially meaningful territories. 'My space' versus 'your space' is a distinction familiar to all of us. Spatial frontiers are social in nature since they regulate individuals' access to utilities in space depending on hierarchy and affiliation. How does the brain integrate spatial geometry with social territory? We propose that the action of oxytocin (OT) in the entorhinal-hippocampal regions supports this process. Grounded on the functional role of the hypothalamic neuropeptide in the hippocampal system, we show how OT-induced plasticity may bias the geometrical coding of place and grid cells to represent social territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Wirth
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS and University of Lyon, Etablissement 1, Bron, France.
| | - Amelie Soumier
- iMIND Center of Excellence for Autism, Le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France
| | - Marina Eliava
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dori Derdikman
- Neuroscience Department, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shlomo Wagner
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Angela Sirigu
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS and University of Lyon, Etablissement 1, Bron, France; iMIND Center of Excellence for Autism, Le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.
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9
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Lefevre A, Hilfiger L, Charlet A. [Tactile contacts increase social interactions by releasing oxytocin]. Med Sci (Paris) 2021; 37:590-592. [PMID: 34180817 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2021073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Lefevre
- CNRS et Université de Strasbourg, Institut des neurosciences cellulaires et intégratives, 8 allée du Général Rouvillois, 67000 Strasbourg, France. - Department of neuropeptide research for psychiatry, Central institute of mental health, Université de Heidelberg, Mannheim, Allemagne
| | - Louis Hilfiger
- CNRS et Université de Strasbourg, Institut des neurosciences cellulaires et intégratives, 8 allée du Général Rouvillois, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- CNRS et Université de Strasbourg, Institut des neurosciences cellulaires et intégratives, 8 allée du Général Rouvillois, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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Tichelman E, Warmink-Perdijk W, Henrichs J, Peters L, Schellevis FG, Berger MY, Burger H. Intrapartum synthetic oxytocin, behavioral and emotional problems in children, and the role of postnatal depressive symptoms, postnatal anxiety and mother-to-infant bonding: A Dutch prospective cohort study. Midwifery 2021; 100:103045. [PMID: 34077815 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between intrapartum synthetic oxytocin and child behavioral and emotional problems and to assess if maternal depressive or anxious symptoms or mother-to-infant bonding play a mediating role in this association. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Population-based Pregnancy Anxiety and Depression Study. PARTICIPANTS Pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy visiting a total of 109 primary and nine secondary obstetric care centers in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2014 were invited to participate. Follow-up measures used for the present study were collected from May 2010 to January 2019. Women with multiple gestations and with a preterm birth were excluded. MEASUREMENTS Intrapartum synthetic oxytocin exposure status was based on medical birth records and was defined as its administration (Yes/No), either for labour induction or augmentation. Child behavioral and emotional problems were measured with the Child Behavior Checklist at up to 60 months postpartum. Maternal depressive symptoms, anxiety and mother-to infant bonding were measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale from 6 months postpartum. We used multivariable linear regression models to estimate standardized beta coefficients and unique variance explained. FINDINGS 1,528 women responded. In total 607 women received intrapartum synthetic oxytocin. Intrapartum synthetic oxytocin administration was not associated with child behavioral and emotional problems, mother-to-infant bonding nor with postnatal anxiety. Intrapartum synthetic oxytocin was however significantly but weakly associated with more postnatal depressive symptoms (β=0.17, 95%CI of 0.03 to 0.30) explaining 0.6% of unique variance. Maternal postnatal depressive symptoms, postnatal anxiety symptoms and suboptimal mother-to-infant bonding were positively associated with child behavioral and emotional problems. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE We found no evidence that intrapartum synthetic oxytocin is associated with child behavioral and emotional problems, mother-to-infant bonding, or with postnatal anxiety symptoms. Because there was no association between intrapartum synthetic oxytocin and behavioral and emotional problems in children no mediation analysis was carried out. However, intrapartum synthetic oxytocin was positively but weakly associated with postnatal depressive symptoms. The clinical relevance of this finding is negligible in the general population, but unknown in a population with a high risk of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Tichelman
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG, Amsterdam Public, Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, the Netherlands.
| | - Willemijn Warmink-Perdijk
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG, Amsterdam Public, Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, the Netherlands
| | - Jens Henrichs
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG, Amsterdam Public, Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lillian Peters
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG, Amsterdam Public, Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, the Netherlands
| | - Francois G Schellevis
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Y Berger
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, the Netherlands
| | - Huibert Burger
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, the Netherlands
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Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in autism research: literature review. Ir J Psychol Med 2021; 39:272-286. [PMID: 33818321 DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2021.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains a behaviourally defined condition. Its molecular basis is unknown; however, its prevalence has been increasing significantly. There have been several abnormalities in neurotransmitter systems reported in ASD. In our review, we described studies involving positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) that can provide useful and corroborative data. METHOD We conducted a literature review by comprehensive database searching on EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, and PsychINFO looking for articles published since January 2009. Thirty-one studies were carefully selected - 22 PET studies and 9 SPECT studies - and reviewed by 2 independent researchers. References of the articles were also cross-checked. RESULTS Results of the studies, which mainly involve small groups of participants, are frequently inconclusive and often controversial due to the nature of ASD and its wide spectrum. Studies are conducted under different conditions and with poor control for confounding factors which creates difficulties in comparing the data. CONCLUSIONS There is ongoing need to improve methodology of the studies involving molecular imaging in ASD. Lack of consistent findings causes difficulties in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition.
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12
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Bashirian S, Seyedi M, Razjouyan K, Jenabi E. The Association between Labor Induction and Autism Spectrum Disorders Among Children: A Meta-Analysis. Curr Pediatr Rev 2021; 17:238-243. [PMID: 34355687 DOI: 10.2174/1573396317666210521155111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It was hypothesized that the oxytocin used during labor could increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD. OBJECTIVE This meta-analysis pooled all observational studies to obtain the association between labor induction and the risk of ASD among children. We identified all published studies up to August 2020 by search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and gray literature. The pooled odds ratios (OR), relative ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI (were calculated as random effect estimates of association among studies. RESULTS The pooled estimates of OR and RR reported a significant association between labor induction and ASD among children, respectively (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.15) and (RR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.09). The subgroup analyses were performed based on the adjusted form and design of studies. OR in crude and adjusted studies were reported to be 1.25(1.01, 1.49) and 1.08(1.02, 1.14), respectively. A significant association was found in adjusted and crude studies. There is no significant association between labor induction and ASD in case-control studies (OR=1.08, 95% CI = 0.99, 1.17). CONCLUSION The findings showed that labor induction is associated with an increased risk of ASD among children. Therefore, the findings support that clinical use of oxytocin during labor has a significant negative impact on the long-term mental health of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Bashirian
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Seyedi
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Katayoon Razjouyan
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ensiyeh Jenabi
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Lønfeldt NN, Strandberg-Larsen K, Verhulst FC, Plessen KJ, Lebowitz ER. Birth with Synthetic Oxytocin and Risk of Childhood Emotional Disorders: A Danish Population-based Study. J Affect Disord 2020; 274:112-117. [PMID: 32469793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.04.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concerns have been raised that synthetic oxytocin, a widely used obstetric tool for labor induction and augmentation, may have deleterious effects on the neuropsychological development of children. Few studies have examined the relationship between oxytocin-stimulated labor and emotional disorders. METHODS We conducted a nationwide register-based cohort study including 677,629 singletons born in Denmark in the years 2000 to 2012 and followed through 2016 (median age = 10.6 years). Data on oxytocin-stimulation were obtained from the Danish Medical Birth Register. Cases of emotional disorders - anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood or traumatic stress disorders or a redeemed prescription for a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor - were identified using Danish patient and prescription registries. RESULTS Oxytocin was used to stimulate 31% of births, and oxytocin-stimulated labor was not associated with childhood emotional disorders (HR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.99, 1.11) after adjustment for maternal history of psychopathology, antidepressants during pregnancy, cohabitation status, highest educational attainment, smoking status during pregnancy, birth year, and indications for labor stimulation. The crude cox model was also small and close to unity (HR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.03, 1.15). LIMITATIONS About 50% of our population had reached the age of 10 years, but the outcome included disorders with later average debut ages. Oxytocin dosage levels are not recorded in the registers. CONCLUSIONS Our small effect size estimates suggest that perinatal synthetic oxytocin does not contribute to the development of emotional disorders. Current evidence does not warrant revision of guidelines for the use of oxytocin in obstetrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Nadine Lønfeldt
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Frank Cornelis Verhulst
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kerstin Jessica Plessen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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14
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Horta M, Kaylor K, Feifel D, Ebner NC. Chronic oxytocin administration as a tool for investigation and treatment: A cross-disciplinary systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 108:1-23. [PMID: 31647964 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) subserves various physiological, behavioral, and cognitive processes. This paired with the ability to administer OT with minimal and inconsistent side effects has spurred research to explore its therapeutic potential. Findings from single-dose studies indicate that OT administration may be beneficial, at least under certain circumstances. The state of the field, however, is less clear regarding effects from chronic OT administration, which more closely resembles long-term treatment. To address this gap, this review synthesizes existing findings on the use of chronic OT administration in animal and human work. In addition to detailing the effects of chronic OT administration across different functional domains, this review highlights factors that have contributed to mixed findings. Based on this review, a basic framework of interrelated regulatory functions sensitive to chronic OT administration is offered. The paper also identifies future research directions across different contexts, populations, and outcomes, specifically calling for more systematic and standardized research on chronic OT administration in humans to supplement and expand what is currently known from preclinical work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Horta
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Kathryn Kaylor
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David Feifel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Natalie C Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Institute on Aging, Department of Aging & Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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15
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Friedlander E, Yirmiya N, Laiba E, Harel-Gadassi A, Yaari M, Feldstein O, Mankuta D, Israel S. Cumulative Risk of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene Interacts with Prenatal Exposure to Oxytocin Receptor Antagonist to Predict Children's Social Communication Development. Autism Res 2019; 12:1087-1100. [PMID: 31025834 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Compelling evidence for the far-reaching role of oxytocin (OT) in social cognition and affiliative behaviors set the basis for examining the association between genetic variation in the OT receptor (OXTR) gene and risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the current study, gene-environment interaction between OXTR and prenatal exposure to either OT or OXTR antagonist (OXTRA) in predicting early social communication development was examined. One hundred and fifty-three children (age: M = 4.32, SD = 1.07) were assigned to four groups based on prenatal history: children whose mothers prenatally received OXTRA and Nifedipine to delay preterm labor (n = 27); children whose mothers received Nifedipine only to delay preterm labor (n = 35); children whose mothers received OT for labor augmentation (n = 56), and a no intervention group (n = 35). Participants completed a developmental assessment of intelligence quotient (IQ), adaptive behavior, and social communication abilities. DNA was extracted via buccal swab. A genetic risk score was calculated based on four OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs53576, rs237887, rs1042778, and rs2254298) previously reported to be associated with ASD symptomatology. OXTRrisk-allele dosage was associated with more severe autism diagnostics observation schedule (ADOS) scores only in the OXTRA group. In contrast, in the Nifedipine, OT, and no intervention groups, OXTRrisk-allele dosage was not associated with children's ADOS scores. These findings highlight the importance of both genetic and environmental pathways of OT in signaling early social development and raise the need for further research in this field. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1087-1100. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: In the current study, we examined if the association between prenatal exposure to an oxytocin receptor antagonist (OXTRA) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) related impairments are dependent on an individual's genetic background for the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR). Children who carried a greater number of risk alleles for the OXTR gene and whose mothers received OXTRA to delay preterm labor showed more ASD-related impairments. The results highlight the importance of both genetic and environmental pathways of oxytocin in shaping early social development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwa Friedlander
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nurit Yirmiya
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Efrat Laiba
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Maya Yaari
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ohad Feldstein
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Ein-Kerem University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David Mankuta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Ein-Kerem University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Salomon Israel
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Scheinfeld Center of Human Genetics for the Social Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel
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16
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Filippa M, Poisbeau P, Mairesse J, Monaci MG, Baud O, Hüppi P, Grandjean D, Kuhn P. Pain, Parental Involvement, and Oxytocin in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Front Psychol 2019; 10:715. [PMID: 31001173 PMCID: PMC6454868 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm infants (PTI) typically experience many painful and stressful procedures or events during their first weeks of life in a neonatal intensive care unit, and these can profoundly impact subsequent brain development and function. Several protective interventions during this sensitive period stimulate the oxytocin system, reduce pain and stress, and improve brain development. This review provides an overview of the environmental risk factors experienced by PTI during hospitalization, with a focus on the effects of pain, and early maternal separation. We also describe the long-term adverse effects of the simultaneous experiences of pain and maternal separation, and the potential beneficial effects of maternal vocalizations, parental contact, and several related processes, which appear to be mediated by the oxytocin system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Filippa
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Neuroscience of Emotion and Affective Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Social Sciences, University of Valle d'Aosta, Aosta, Italy
| | - Pierrick Poisbeau
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérôme Mairesse
- INSERM U1141 Protect, Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France.,Division of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Universtiy of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Olivier Baud
- INSERM U1141 Protect, Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France.,Division of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Universtiy of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Service de Médecine et Réanimation Néonatale, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Petra Hüppi
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Universtiy of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Didier Grandjean
- Neuroscience of Emotion and Affective Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Kuhn
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Service de Médecine et Réanimation Néonatale, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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17
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Lønfeldt NN, Verhulst FC, Strandberg-Larsen K, Plessen KJ, Lebowitz ER. Assessing risk of neurodevelopmental disorders after birth with oxytocin: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2019; 49:881-890. [PMID: 30444210 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718003021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Experts have raised concerns that oxytocin for labor induction and augmentation may have detrimental effects on the neurodevelopment of children. To investigate whether there is the reason for concern, we reviewed and evaluated the available evidence by searching databases with no language or date restrictions up to 9 September 2018. We included English-language studies reporting results on the association between perinatal oxytocin exposure and any cognitive impairment, psychiatric symptoms or disorders in childhood. We assessed the quality of studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scales. Independent risk estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses when at least two independent datasets provided data on the same symptom or disorder. Otherwise, we provided narrative summaries. Two studies examined cognitive impairment, one examined problem behavior, three examined attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and seven focused on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We provided narrative summaries of the studies on cognitive impairment. For ADHD, the pooled risk estimate was 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77-1.78, based on a pooled sample size of 5 47 278 offspring. For ASD, the pooled risk estimate was 1.10; 95% CI 1.04-1.17, based on 8 87 470 offspring. Conclusions that perinatal oxytocin increases the risks of neurodevelopmental problems are premature. Observational studies of low to high quality comprise the evidence-base, and confounding, especially by the genetic or environmental vulnerability, remains an issue. Current evidence is insufficient to justify modifying obstetric guidelines for the use of oxytocin, which state that it should only be used when clinically indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole N Lønfeldt
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services,Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen,Denmark
| | - Frank C Verhulst
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services,Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen,Denmark
| | | | - Kerstin J Plessen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services,Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen,Denmark
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18
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Oxytocin Receptors Are Expressed by Glutamatergic Prefrontal Cortical Neurons That Selectively Modulate Social Recognition. J Neurosci 2019; 39:3249-3263. [PMID: 30804095 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2944-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Social recognition, the ability to recognize individuals that were previously encountered, requires complex integration of sensory inputs with previous experience. Here, we use a variety of approaches to discern how oxytocin-sensitive neurons in the PFC exert descending control over a circuit mediating social recognition in mice. Using male mice with Cre-recombinase directed to the oxytocin receptor gene (Oxtr), we revealed that oxytocin receptors (OXTRs) are expressed on glutamatergic neurons in the PFC, optogenetic stimulation of which elicited activation of neurons residing in several mesolimbic brain structures. Optogenetic stimulation of axons in the BLA arising from OXTR-expressing neurons in the PFC eliminated the ability to distinguish novel from familiar conspecifics, but remarkably, distinguishing between novel and familiar objects was unaffected. These results suggest that an oxytocin-sensitive PFC to BLA circuit is required for social recognition. The implication is that impaired social memory may manifest from dysregulation of this circuit.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Using mice, we demonstrate that optogenetic activation of the neurons in the PFC that express the oxytocin receptor gene (Oxtr) impairs the ability to distinguish between novel and familiar conspecifics, but the ability to distinguish between novel and familiar objects remains intact. Subjects with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have difficulty identifying a person based on remembering facial features; however, ASDs and typical subjects perform similarly when remembering objects. In subjects with ASD, viewing the same face increases neural activity in the PFC, which may be analogous to the optogenetic excitation of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) expressing neurons in the PFC that impairs social recognition in mice. The implication is that overactivation of OXTR-expressing neurons in the PFC may contribute to ASD symptomology.
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19
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Guastella AJ, Cooper MN, White CRH, White MK, Pennell CE, Whitehouse AJO. Does perinatal exposure to exogenous oxytocin influence child behavioural problems and autistic-like behaviours to 20 years of age? J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2018; 59:1323-1332. [PMID: 29701247 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuropeptide and hormone oxytocin is known to have a significant impact on social cognition and behaviour in humans. There is growing concern regarding the influence of exogenous oxytocin (OT) administration in early life on later social and emotional development, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). No study has examined offspring development in relation to the dose of exogenous oxytocin administered during labour. METHODS Between 1989 and 1992, 2,900 mothers were recruited prior to the 18th week of pregnancy, delivering 2,868 live offspring. The Child Behaviour Checklist was used to measure offspring behavioural difficulties at ages 5, 8, 10, 14 and 17 years. Autism spectrum disorder was formally diagnosed by consensus of a team of specialists. At 20 years, offspring completed a measure of autistic-like traits, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Oxytocin exposure prior to birth was analysed using categorical and continuous approaches (maternal oxytocin dose) with univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. RESULTS Categorical analyses of oxytocin exposure prior to birth demonstrated no group differences in any measures of child behaviour. A small in magnitude dose-response association was observed for clinically significant total behaviour symptoms (adjusted odds ratio 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, p < .01). Exogenous oxytocin administration prior to birth was not associated with ASD (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.15-2.12, p = .46) or high levels of autistic-like traits (p = .93), as assessed by the AQ. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to investigate longitudinal mental health outcomes associated with the use of oxytocin-based medications during labour. The results do not provide evidence to support the theory that exogenous OT has a clinically significant negative impact on the long-term mental health of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Guastella
- Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matt N Cooper
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia
| | - Christopher R H White
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia
| | - Melanie K White
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia
| | - Craig E Pennell
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia
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20
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Ben-Ari Y. Oxytocin and Vasopressin, and the GABA Developmental Shift During Labor and Birth: Friends or Foes? Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:254. [PMID: 30186114 PMCID: PMC6110879 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are usually associated with sociability and reduced stress for the former and antidiuretic agent associated with severe stress and pathological conditions for the latter. Both OT and AVP play major roles during labor and birth. Recent contradictory studies suggest that they might exert different roles on the GABA excitatory/inhibitory developmental shift. We reported (Tyzio et al., 2006) that at birth, OT exerts a neuro-protective action mediated by an abrupt reduction of intracellular chloride levels ([Cl-]i) that are high in utero, reinforcing GABAergic inhibition and modulating the generation of the first synchronized patterns of cortical networks. This reduction of [Cl-]i levels is abolished in rodent models of Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and its restoration attenuates the severity of the pathological sequels, stressing the importance of the shift at birth (Tyzio et al., 2014). In contrast, Kaila and co-workers (Spoljaric et al., 2017) reported excitatory GABA actions before and after birth that are modulated by AVP but not by OT, challenging both the developmental shift and the roles of OT. Here, I analyze the differences between these studies and suggest that the ratio AVP/OT like that of excitatory/inhibitory GABA depend on stress and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehezkel Ben-Ari
- Neurochlore and Ben-Ari Institute of Neuroarcheology (IBEN), Marseille, France
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21
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Imaging neuropeptide effects on human brain function. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:279-286. [PMID: 30069597 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2899-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of prosocial effects of oxytocin (OT) opened new directions for studying neuropeptide effects on the human brain. However, despite obvious effects of OT on neural responses as reported in numerous studies, other peptides have received less attention. Therefore, we will only briefly summarize evidence of OT effects on human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and primarily focus on OT's sister neuropeptide arginine-vasopressin by presenting our own coordinated-based activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis. In addition, we will recapitulate rather limited data on few other neuropeptides, including pharmacological and genetic fMRI studies. Finally, we will review experiments with external neuropeptide administration to patients afflicted with mental disorders, such as autism or schizophrenia. In conclusion, despite remaining uncertainty regarding the penetrance of exogenous neuropeptides through the blood-brain barrier, it is evident that neuropeptides simultaneously influence the activity of limbic and cortical areas, indicating that these systems have a good potential for therapeutic drug development. Hence, this calls for further systematic studies of a wide spectrum of known and less known neuropeptides to understand their normal function in the brain and, subsequently, to tackle their potential contribution for pathophysiological mechanisms of mental disorders.
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22
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Frye RE. Social Skills Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Potential Biological Origins and Progress in Developing Therapeutic Agents. CNS Drugs 2018; 32:713-734. [PMID: 30105528 PMCID: PMC6105175 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-018-0556-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is defined by two core symptoms: a deficit in social communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors and/or restricted interests. Currently, there is no US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for these core symptoms. This article reviews the biological origins of the social function deficit associated with autism spectrum disorder and the drug therapies with the potential to treat this deficit. A review of the history of autism demonstrates that a deficit in social interaction has been the defining feature of the concept of autism from its conception. Abnormalities identified in early social skill development and an overview of the pathophysiology abnormalities associated with autism spectrum disorder are discussed as are the abnormalities in brain circuits associated with the social function deficit. Previous and ongoing clinical trials examining agents that have the potential to improve social deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder are discussed in detail. This discussion reveals that agents such as oxytocin and propranolol are particularly promising and undergoing active investigation, while other agents such as vasopressin agonists and antagonists are being activity investigated but have limited published evidence at this time. In addition, agents such as bumetanide and manipulation of the enteric microbiome using microbiota transfer therapy appear to have promising effects on core autism spectrum disorder symptoms including social function. Other pertinent issues associated with developing treatments in autism spectrum disorder, such as disease heterogeneity, high placebo response rates, trial design, and the most appropriate way of assessing effects on social skills (outcome measures), are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Division of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas St, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA.
- Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
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23
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Lefevre A, Mottolese R, Dirheimer M, Mottolese C, Duhamel JR, Sirigu A. A comparison of methods to measure central and peripheral oxytocin concentrations in human and non-human primates. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17222. [PMID: 29222505 PMCID: PMC5722864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17674-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) concentration in the blood is considered to be a marker of its action in the brain. However, two problems have emerged when measuring OT level in the blood. First, it is unclear whether different methods of assessment lead to similar OT values. Second, it is unclear if plasma OT concentrations is informative on what OT does in the brain. To clarify these issues, we collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain ventricle of 25 patients during surgery to compare with plasma OT after simultaneous blood withdrawal. Additionally, we collected 12 CSF and blood samples from non-human primates while awake or under anaesthesia. We used four methods to assay OT concentrations: Commercial EIA with/without extraction, laboratory developed EIA with filtration and RIA with extraction. Three of these methods showed a positive correlation between plasma and CSF OT, suggesting a link between plasma and central OT, at least under specific testing conditions. However, none of the methods correlated to each other. Our results show major disagreements among methods used here to measure peripheral and brain OT and therefore they call for more caution when plasma OT is taken as a marker of central OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Lefevre
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5229, Bron, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| | - Raphaëlle Mottolese
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5229, Bron, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Manon Dirheimer
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5229, Bron, France
| | - Carmine Mottolese
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5229, Bron, France
- Neurosurgery Unit 500, Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-René Duhamel
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5229, Bron, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Angela Sirigu
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5229, Bron, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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Vidal B, Karpenko IA, Liger F, Fieux S, Bouillot C, Billard T, Hibert M, Zimmer L. [ 11 C]PF-3274167 as a PET radiotracer of oxytocin receptors: Radiosynthesis and evaluation in rat brain. Nucl Med Biol 2017; 55:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Oxytocin and Serotonin Brain Mechanisms in the Nonhuman Primate. J Neurosci 2017; 37:6741-6750. [PMID: 28607170 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0659-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is increasingly studied for its therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders, which are associated with the deregulation of several neurotransmission systems. Studies in rodents demonstrated that the interaction between OT and serotonin (5-HT) is critical for several aspects of social behavior. Using PET scan in humans, we have recently found that 5-HT 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) function is modified after intranasal oxytocin intake. However, the underlying mechanism between OT and 5-HT remains unclear. To understand this interaction, we tested 3 male macaque monkeys using both [11C]DASB and [18F]MPPF, two PET radiotracers, marking the serotonin transporter and the 5-HT1AR, respectively. Oxytocin (1 IU in 20 μl of ACSF) or placebo was injected into the brain lateral ventricle 45 min before scans. Additionally, we performed postmortem autoradiography. Compared with placebo, OT significantly reduced [11C]DASB binding potential in right amygdala, insula, and hippocampus, whereas [18F]MPPF binding potential increased in right amygdala and insula. Autoradiography revealed that [11C]DASB was sensitive to physiological levels of 5-HT modification, and that OT does not act directly on the 5-HT1AR. Our results show that oxytocin administration in nonhuman primates influences serotoninergic neurotransmission via at least two ways: (1) by provoking a release of serotonin in key limbic regions; and (2) by increasing the availability of 5-HT1AR receptors in the same limbic areas. Because these two molecules are important for social behavior, our study sheds light on the specific nature of their interaction, therefore helping to develop new mechanisms-based therapies for psychiatric disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Social behavior is largely controlled by brain neuromodulators, such as oxytocin and serotonin. While these are currently targeted in the context of psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, a new promising pharmaceutical strategy is to study the interaction between these systems. Here we depict the interplay between oxytocin and serotonin in the nonhuman primate brain. We found that oxytocin provokes the release of serotonin, which in turn impacts on the serotonin 1A receptor system, by modulating its availability. This happens in several key brain regions for social behavior, such as the amygdala and insula. This novel finding can open ways to advance treatments where drugs are combined to influence several neurotransmission networks.
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Microbial lysate upregulates host oxytocin. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 61:36-49. [PMID: 27825953 PMCID: PMC5431580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide hormone oxytocin has roles in social bonding, energy metabolism, and wound healing contributing to good physical, mental and social health. It was previously shown that feeding of a human commensal microbe Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) is sufficient to up-regulate endogenous oxytocin levels and improve wound healing capacity in mice. Here we show that oral L. reuteri-induced skin wound repair benefits extend to human subjects. Further, dietary supplementation with a sterile lysate of this microbe alone is sufficient to boost systemic oxytocin levels and improve wound repair capacity. Oxytocin-producing cells were found to be increased in the caudal paraventricular nucleus [PVN] of the hypothalamus after feeding of a sterile lysed preparation of L. reuteri, coincident with lowered blood levels of stress hormone corticosterone and more rapid epidermal closure, in mouse models. We conclude that microbe viability is not essential for regulating host oxytocin levels. The results suggest that a peptide or metabolite produced by bacteria may modulate host oxytocin secretion for potential public or personalized health goals.
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Cservenák M, Keller D, Kis V, Fazekas EA, Öllös H, Lékó AH, Szabó ÉR, Renner É, Usdin TB, Palkovits M, Dobolyi Á. A Thalamo-Hypothalamic Pathway That Activates Oxytocin Neurons in Social Contexts in Female Rats. Endocrinology 2017; 158:335-348. [PMID: 27841935 PMCID: PMC5413079 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is released from neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) in mothers upon suckling and during adult social interactions. However, neuronal pathways that activate oxytocin neurons in social contexts are not yet established. Neurons in the posterior intralaminar complex of the thalamus (PIL), which contain tuberoinfundibular peptide 39 (TIP39) and are activated by pup exposure in lactating mothers, provide a candidate projection. Innervation of oxytocin neurons by TIP39 neurons was examined by double labeling in combination with electron microscopy and retrograde tract-tracing. Potential classic neurotransmitters in TIP39 neurons were investigated by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Neurons activated after encounter with a familiar conspecific female in a familiar environment were mapped with the c-Fos technique. PVN and the supraoptic nucleus oxytocin neurons were closely apposed by an average of 2.0 and 0.4 TIP39 terminals, respectively. Asymmetric (presumed excitatory) synapses were found between TIP39 terminals and cell bodies of oxytocin neurons. In lactating rats, PIL TIP39 neurons were retrogradely labeled from the PVN. TIP39 neurons expressed vesicular glutamate transporter 2 but not glutamic acid decarboxylase 67. PIL contained a markedly increased number of c-Fos-positive neurons in response to social encounter with a familiar conspecific female. Furthermore, the PIL received ascending input from the spinal cord and the inferior colliculus. Thus, TIP39 neurons in the PIL may receive sensory input in response to social interactions and project to the PVN to innervate and excite oxytocin neurons, suggesting that the PIL-PVN projection contributes to the activation of oxytocin neurons in social contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Cservenák
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest , Hungary
| | - Dávid Keller
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest , Hungary
| | - Viktor Kis
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest , Hungary
| | - Emese A Fazekas
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hanna Öllös
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András H Lékó
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest , Hungary
| | - Éva R Szabó
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest , Hungary
| | - Éva Renner
- MTA-SE NAP Human Brain Tissue Bank Microdissection Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ted B Usdin
- Section on Fundamental Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Miklós Palkovits
- MTA-SE NAP Human Brain Tissue Bank Microdissection Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Árpád Dobolyi
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest , Hungary
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Eryilmaz OG, Kansu-Celik H, Erel O, Erdogan S. Thiol/disulfide parameters as a novel oxidative marker in medical labor induction with oxytocin. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2017; 29:61-65. [PMID: 27505093 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2016-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to analyze the alterations in thiol levels among mothers and neonates who were prone to medical oxytocin induction. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 40 pregnant women who underwent medical labor induction with oxytocin (Group A) were compared with 53 women whose labor progressed spontaneously without any kind of induction (Group B). We measured the thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters (native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, disulfide/total thiol, disulfide/native thiol) of maternal and cord blood. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences with respect to the maternal and cord blood thiol/disulfide homeostasis between the two groups. CONCLUSION Being an artificial intervention during labor, oxytocin induction has been found to be safe in terms of oxidative stress (OS) according to the results of this study. Both the maternal and the fetal sides were safe in this molecular manner against oxytocin infusion.
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Simpson EA, Paukner A, Sclafani V, Kaburu SSK, Suomi SJ, Ferrari PF. Acute oxytocin improves memory and gaze following in male but not female nursery-reared infant macaques. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:497-506. [PMID: 27837331 PMCID: PMC5226861 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4480-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Exogenous oxytocin administration is widely reported to improve social cognition in human and nonhuman primate adults. Risk factors of impaired social cognition, however, emerge in infancy. Early interventions-when plasticity is greatest-are critical to reverse negative outcomes. OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that oxytocin may exert similar positive effects on infant social cognition, as in adults. To test this idea, we assessed the effectiveness of acute, aerosolized oxytocin on two foundational social cognitive skills: working memory (i.e., ability to briefly hold and process information) and social gaze (i.e., tracking the direction of others' gaze) in 1-month-old nursery-reared macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta). We did not predict sex differences, but we included sex as a factor in our analyses to test whether our effects would be generalizable across both males and females. RESULTS In a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, we found that females were more socially skilled at baseline compared to males, and that oxytocin improved working memory and gaze following, but only in males. CONCLUSIONS These sex differences, while unexpected, may be due to interactions with gonadal steroids and may be relevant to sexually dimorphic disorders of social cognition, such as male-biased autism spectrum disorder, for which oxytocin has been proposed as a potential treatment. In sum, we report the first evidence that oxytocin may influence primate infant cognitive abilities. Moreover, these behavioral effects appear sexually dimorphic, highlighting the importance of considering sex differences. Oxytocin effects observed in one sex may not be generalizable to the other sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Simpson
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA,Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Poolesville, Maryland, USA,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy,Corresponding author. 5665 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, Florida 33124, USA. . Phone: +1-305-284-6181. Fax: +1- 305-284-3402
| | - Annika Paukner
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Poolesville, Maryland, USA
| | - Valentina Sclafani
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Poolesville, Maryland, USA,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy,School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano S. K. Kaburu
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Poolesville, Maryland, USA,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy,Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Stephen J. Suomi
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Poolesville, Maryland, USA
| | - Pier F. Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy,Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon, France
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Oxytocin Signaling in the Early Life of Mammals: Link to Neurodevelopmental Disorders Associated with ASD. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 35:239-268. [PMID: 28812269 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_16] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin plays a role in various functions including endocrine and immune functions but also parent-infant bonding and social interactions. It might be considered as a main neuropeptide involved in mediating the regulation of adaptive interactions between an individual and his/her environment. Recently, a critical role of oxytocin in early life has been revealed in sensory processing and multi-modal integration that are essential for normal postnatal neurodevelopment. An early alteration in the oxytocin-system may disturb its maturation and may have short-term and long-term pathological consequences such as autism spectrum disorders. Here, we will synthesize the existing literature on the development of the oxytocin system and its role in the early postnatal life of mammals (from birth to weaning) in a normal or pathological context. Oxytocin is required in critical windows of time that play a pivotal role and that should be considered for therapeutical interventions.
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Parr LA, Brooks JM, Jonesteller T, Moss S, Jordano JO, Heitz TR. Effects of chronic oxytocin on attention to dynamic facial expressions in infant macaques. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 74:149-157. [PMID: 27621197 PMCID: PMC5159270 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Studies in a variety of species have reported enhanced prosocial effects after an acute administration of the neuromodulating hormone, oxytocin (OT). Although the exact mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood, there is broad interest in developing OT into a treatment for social deficits. Only a few studies, however, have examined the effects of OT if given repeatedly during early development, the period when early intervention is likely to have the greatest benefits for reversing the progression towards social impairment. Those studies, exclusively in rodents, report mixed results. Some have shown enhancement of prosocial behavior, including increased social exploration, but others have shown anti-social effects, including increased aggression. In the present study, infant rhesus macaques were treated with a high-frequency (3× per week) or low-frequency (1× per week) dose of intranasal oxytocin (IN-OT) or placebo (IN-saline) between two and six months of age, after which their reactions to dynamic facial expressions (neutral, lipsmacking and threats) were measured. Results showed that IN-OT, compared to placebo, increased the time monkeys spent viewing the expression videos, but selectively reduced attention to the eyes in neutral faces in a dose dependent manner. The mechanism for this non-prosocial effect may be that repeated IN-OT administration down-regulates the expression of OT receptors in brain regions important for regulating social attention. Consequently, our results raise questions about the efficacy of implementing chronic IN-OT as a pharmacotherapy for the treatment of social deficits, particularly if given early in development. More work is needed, not only to identify optimal treatment schedules, but also to understand how IN-OT exerts its influences on the brain and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A. Parr
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd., Atlanta GA, 30329 USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University, Atlanta GA, 30322 USA,Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta GA, 30329 USA,Corresponding Author. 954 Gatewood Rd., Atlanta GA, 30329, USA, 404-727-3653,
| | - Jenna M. Brooks
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd., Atlanta GA, 30329 USA
| | - Trina Jonesteller
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd., Atlanta GA, 30329 USA
| | - Shannon Moss
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd., Atlanta GA, 30329 USA
| | | | - Thomas R. Heitz
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd., Atlanta GA, 30329 USA
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Lawson SK, Gray AC, Woehrle NS. Effects of oxytocin on serotonin 1B agonist-induced autism-like behavior in mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 314:52-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Carter CJ, Blizard RA. Autism genes are selectively targeted by environmental pollutants including pesticides, heavy metals, bisphenol A, phthalates and many others in food, cosmetics or household products. Neurochem Int 2016; 101:S0197-0186(16)30197-8. [PMID: 27984170 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The increasing incidence of autism suggests a major environmental influence. Epidemiology has implicated many candidates and genetics many susceptibility genes. Gene/environment interactions in autism were analysed using 206 autism susceptibility genes (ASG's) from the Autworks database to interrogate ∼1 million chemical/gene interactions in the comparative toxicogenomics database. Any bias towards ASG's was statistically determined for each chemical. Many suspect compounds identified in epidemiology, including tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, pesticides, particulate matter, benzo(a)pyrene, heavy metals, valproate, acetaminophen, SSRI's, cocaine, bisphenol A, phthalates, polyhalogenated biphenyls, flame retardants, diesel constituents, terbutaline and oxytocin, inter alia showed a significant degree of bias towards ASG's, as did relevant endogenous agents (retinoids, sex steroids, thyroxine, melatonin, folate, dopamine, serotonin). Numerous other suspected endocrine disruptors (over 100) selectively targeted ASG's including paraquat, atrazine and other pesticides not yet studied in autism and many compounds used in food, cosmetics or household products, including tretinoin, soy phytoestrogens, aspartame, titanium dioxide and sodium fluoride. Autism polymorphisms influence the sensitivity to some of these chemicals and these same genes play an important role in barrier function and control of respiratory cilia sweeping particulate matter from the airways. Pesticides, heavy metals and pollutants also disrupt barrier and/or ciliary function, which is regulated by sex steroids and by bitter/sweet taste receptors. Further epidemiological studies and neurodevelopmental and behavioural research is warranted to determine the relevance of large number of suspect candidates whose addition to the environment, household, food and cosmetics might be fuelling the autism epidemic in a gene-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Carter
- PolygenicPathways, Flat 2, 40 Baldslow Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2EY, UK.
| | - R A Blizard
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College, London, UK
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Erdman SE, Poutahidis T. Microbes and Oxytocin: Benefits for Host Physiology and Behavior. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2016; 131:91-126. [PMID: 27793228 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is now understood that gut bacteria exert effects beyond the local boundaries of the gastrointestinal tract to include distant tissues and overall health. Prototype probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri has been found to upregulate hormone oxytocin and systemic immune responses to achieve a wide array of health benefits involving wound healing, mental health, metabolism, and myoskeletal maintenance. Together these display that the gut microbiome and host animal interact via immune-endocrine-brain signaling networks. Such findings provide novel therapeutic strategies to stimulate powerful homeostatic pathways and genetic programs, stemming from the coevolution of mammals and their microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Erdman
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - T Poutahidis
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Frye RE, Rossignol DA. Identification and Treatment of Pathophysiological Comorbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder to Achieve Optimal Outcomes. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-PEDIATRICS 2016; 10:43-56. [PMID: 27330338 PMCID: PMC4910649 DOI: 10.4137/cmped.s38337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the fact that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise, no effective medical treatments have become standard of care. In this paper we review some of the pathophysiological abnormalities associated with ASD and their potential associated treatments. Overall, there is evidence for some children with ASD being affected by seizure and epilepsy, neurotransmitter dysfunction, sleep disorders, metabolic abnormalities, including abnormalities in folate, cobalamin, tetrahydrobiopterin, carnitine, redox and mitochondrial metabolism, and immune and gastrointestinal disorders. Although evidence for an association between these pathophysiological abnormalities and ASD exists, the exact relationship to the etiology of ASD and its associated symptoms remains to be further defined in many cases. Despite these limitations, treatments targeting some of these pathophysiological abnormalities have been studied in some cases with high-quality studies, whereas treatments for other pathophysiological abnormalities have not been well studied in many cases. There are some areas of more promising treatments specific for ASD including neurotransmitter abnormalities, particularly imbalances in glutamate and acetylcholine, sleep onset disorder (with behavioral therapy and melatonin), and metabolic abnormalities in folate, cobalamin, tetrahydrobiopterin, carnitine, and redox pathways. There is some evidence for treatments of epilepsy and seizures, mitochondrial and immune disorders, and gastrointestinal abnormalities, particularly imbalances in the enteric microbiome, but further clinical studies are needed in these areas to better define treatments specific to children with ASD. Clearly, there are some promising areas of ASD research that could lead to novel treatments that could become standard of care in the future, but more research is needed to better define subgroups of children with ASD who are affected by specific pathophysiological abnormalities and the optimal treatments for these abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.; Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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