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Kwon H, Ha M, Choi S, Park S, Jang M, Kim M, Kwon JS. Resting-state functional connectivity of amygdala subregions across different symptom subtypes of obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. Neuroimage Clin 2024; 43:103644. [PMID: 39042954 PMCID: PMC11325364 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
AIM Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by distinct symptom subtypes, each with varying pathophysiologies and treatment responses. Recent research has highlighted the role of the amygdala, a brain region that is central to emotion processing, in these variations. However, the role of amygdala subregions with distinct functions has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to clarify the biological mechanisms underlying OCD subtype heterogeneity by investigating the functional connectivity (FC) of amygdala subregions across distinct OCD symptom subtypes. METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were obtained from 107 medication-free OCD patients and 110 healthy controls (HCs). Using centromedial, basolateral, and superficial subregions of the bilateral amygdala as seed regions, whole-brain FC was compared between OCD patients and HCs and among patients with different OCD symptom subtypes, which included contamination fear and washing, obsessive (i.e., harm due to injury, aggression, sexual, and religious), and compulsive (i.e., symmetry, ordering, counting, and checking) subtypes. RESULTS Compared to HCs, compulsive-type OCD patients exhibited hypoconnectivity between the left centromedial amygdala (CMA) and bilateral superior frontal gyri. Compared with patients with contamination fear and washing OCD subtypes, patients with compulsive-type OCD showed hypoconnectivity between the left CMA and left frontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS CMA-frontal cortex hypoconnectivity may contribute to the compulsive presentation of OCD through impaired control of behavioral responses to negative emotions. Our findings underscored the potential significance of the distinct neural underpinnings of different OCD manifestations, which could pave the way for more targeted treatment strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harah Kwon
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minji Ha
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunah Choi
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghyun Park
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Moonyoung Jang
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minah Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jun Soo Kwon
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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2
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Yasuno F, Kimura Y, Ogata A, Ikenuma H, Abe J, Minami H, Nihashi T, Yokoi K, Hattori S, Shimoda N, Watanabe A, Kasuga K, Ikeuchi T, Takeda A, Sakurai T, Ito K, Kato T. Trait-anxiety and glial-related neuroinflammation of the amygdala and its associated regions in Alzheimer's disease: A significant correlation. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 38:100795. [PMID: 38799793 PMCID: PMC11126804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Positron emission tomography, which assesses the binding of translocator protein radiotracers, 11C-DPA-713, may be a sensitive method for determining glial-mediated neuroinflammation levels. This study investigated the relationship between regional 11C-DPA713 binding potential (BPND) and anxiety in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. Methods Nineteen patients with AD continuum determined to be amyloid-/p-tau 181-positive via cerebrospinal fluid analysis were included in this cross-sectional study (mild cognitive impairment [MCI, n = 5] and AD [n = 14]). Anxiety was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A whole-brain voxel-based analysis was performed to examine the relationship between 11C-DPA-713-BPND values at each voxel and the STAI score. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of STAI scores using independent variables, including 11C-DPA-713-BPND values within significant clusters. 11C-DPA-713-BPND values were compared between patients with AD continuum with low-to-moderate and high STAI scores. Results Voxel-based analysis revealed a positive correlation between trait anxiety severity and 11C-DPA713-BPND values in the centromedial amygdala and the left inferior occipital area [P < 0.001 (uncorrected) at the voxel-level]. 11C-DPA713-BPND values in these regions were a strong predictor of the STAI trait anxiety score. Specifically, patients with AD continuum and high trait anxiety had increased 11C-DPA713-BPND values in these regions. Conclusions The amygdala-occipital lobe circuit influences the control of emotional generation, and disruption of this network by AD pathology-induced inflammation may contribute to the expression of anxiety. Our findings suggest that suppression of inflammation can help effectively treat anxiety by attenuating damage to the amygdala and its associated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiko Yasuno
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kimura
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Aya Ogata
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gifu University of Medical Science, Kani, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ikenuma
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Junichiro Abe
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Minami
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Takashi Nihashi
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Kastunori Yokoi
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Saori Hattori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Shimoda
- Functional Genomics Unit, Medical Genome Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Atsushi Watanabe
- Equipment Management Division, Center for Core Facility Administration, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Kensaku Kasuga
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ikeuchi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akinori Takeda
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Takashi Sakurai
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Kengo Ito
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
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Long P, Scholl JL, Wang X, Kallsen NA, Ehli EA, Freeman H. Intranasal Oxytocin and Pain Reduction: Testing a Social Cognitive Mediation Model. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1689. [PMID: 38137136 PMCID: PMC10741592 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is well known for its role in relationships and social cognition and has more recently been implicated in pain relief and pain perception. Connections between prosocial feelings and pain relief are also well documented; however, the effects of exogenous oxytocin on social cognition and pain have not been explored. The current study tested whether intranasally delivered oxytocin affects pain perception through prosocial behaviors. Additionally, moderation of the effects of oxytocin by life history or genetic polymorphisms is examined. Young adults (n = 43; 65% female) were administered intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo in a crossover design on two visits separated by a one-week washout period. Pain was delivered via cold pressor. Baseline measures for decision-making and social cognition were collected, as well as pain sensitivity and medication history. Saliva samples were collected for analysis of genetic markers, and urine samples were collected to assess oxytocin saturation. Following oxytocin administration, participants reported increased prosocial cognition and decision-making. Pain perception appeared to be adaptive, with procedural order and expectation affecting perception. Finally, behavioral trust and cooperation responses were significantly predicted by genetic markers. Oxytocin may increase a patient's trust and cooperation and reduce pain sensitivity while having fewer physiological side effects than current pharmaceutical options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preston Long
- Institute for Outcomes Research, Center for Medical Data Science, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jamie L. Scholl
- Basic Biomedical Sciences & Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Xiaotian Wang
- School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518172, China;
| | - Noah A. Kallsen
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA; (N.A.K.); (E.A.E.)
| | - Erik A. Ehli
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA; (N.A.K.); (E.A.E.)
| | - Harry Freeman
- Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education & Center for Brain and Behavior Research, School of Education, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
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Handlin L, Novembre G, Lindholm H, Kämpe R, Paul E, Morrison I. Human endogenous oxytocin and its neural correlates show adaptive responses to social touch based on recent social context. eLife 2023; 12:81197. [PMID: 37157840 PMCID: PMC10168694 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Both oxytocin (OT) and touch are key mediators of social attachment. In rodents, tactile stimulation elicits the endogenous release of OT, potentially facilitating attachment and other forms of prosocial behavior, yet the relationship between endogenous OT and neural modulation remains unexplored in humans. Using a serial sampling of plasma hormone levels during functional neuroimaging across two successive social interactions, we show that contextual circumstances of social touch influence not only current hormonal and brain responses but also later responses. Namely, touch from a male to his female romantic partner enhanced her subsequent OT release for touch from an unfamiliar stranger, yet females' OT responses to partner touch were dampened following stranger touch. Hypothalamus and dorsal raphe activation reflected plasma OT changes during the initial social interaction. In the subsequent interaction, precuneus and parietal-temporal cortex pathways tracked time- and context-dependent variables in an OT-dependent manner. This OT-dependent cortical modulation included a region of the medial prefrontal cortex that also covaried with plasma cortisol, suggesting an influence on stress responses. These findings demonstrate that modulation between hormones and the brain during human social interactions can flexibly adapt to features of social context over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Handlin
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Giovanni Novembre
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Helene Lindholm
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Robin Kämpe
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Paul
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - India Morrison
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
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Jiang J, Yang M, Tian M, Chen Z, Xiao L, Gong Y. Intertwined associations between oxytocin, immune system and major depressive disorder. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114852. [PMID: 37163778 PMCID: PMC10165244 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prominent psychiatric disorder with a high prevalence rate. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already high prevalence of MDD. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of patients are unresponsive to conventional treatments, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. Oxytocin, an endogenous neuropeptide, has emerged as a promising candidate with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Oxytocin has been shown to alleviate emotional disorders by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the central immune system. The dysfunction of the immune system has been strongly linked to the onset and progression of depression. The central immune system is believed to be a key target of oxytocin in ameliorating emotional disorders. In this review, we examine the evidence regarding the interactions between oxytocin, the immune system, and depressive disorder. Moreover, we summarize and speculate on the potential roles of the intertwined association between oxytocin and the central immune system in treating emotional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junliang Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miaoxian Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mi Tian
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
| | - Lei Xiao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ye Gong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery of Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Effects of exogenous oxytocin and estradiol on resting-state functional connectivity in women and men. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3113. [PMID: 36813823 PMCID: PMC9947123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29754-y] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Possible interactions of the neuropeptide oxytocin and the sex hormone estradiol may contribute to previously observed sex-specific effects of oxytocin on resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the amygdala and hippocampus. Therefore, we used a placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group functional magnetic resonance imaging study design and measured amygdala and hippocampus rsFC in healthy men (n = 116) and free-cycling women (n = 111), who received estradiol gel (2 mg) or placebo before the intranasal administration of oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo. Our results reveal significant interaction effects of sex and treatments on rsFC of the amygdala and hippocampus in a seed-to-voxel analysis. In men, both oxytocin and estradiol significantly decreased rsFC between the left amygdala and the right and left lingual gyrus, the right calcarine fissure, and the right superior parietal gyrus compared to placebo, while the combined treatment produced a significant increase in rsFC. In women, the single treatments significantly increased the rsFC between the right hippocampus and the left anterior cingulate gyrus, whereas the combined treatment had the opposite effect. Collectively, our study indicates that exogenous oxytocin and estradiol have different region-specific effects on rsFC in women and men and that the combined treatment may produce antagonistic effects.
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Chen Q, Zhuang J, Zuo R, Zheng H, Dang J, Wang Z. Exploring associations between postpartum depression and oxytocin levels in cerebrospinal fluid, plasma and saliva. J Affect Disord 2022; 315:198-205. [PMID: 35917937 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health concern affecting approximately 17.22 % of new mothers worldwide. In addition to its obstetric effects, oxytocin (OXT) has also been considered to play a role in PPD. However, most previous studies exploring associations between PPD and OXT levels focus on easier accessible compartments such as blood or saliva. STUDY AIM To explore the possible association between PPD and OXT levels, and to assess the interaction between peripheral secretion and central release of OXT. METHODS In this study, we prospectively measured OXT concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma and saliva of 94 women with elective cesarean section by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The participants were divided into the PPD group if the score of Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) ≥ 10 at 3 months postpartum, otherwise into the non-PPD (nPPD) group. RESULTS The incidence of PPD was 30.85 %. OXT concentrations in CSF (r = -0.518, p < 0.001), plasma (r = -0.240, p = 0.020) and saliva (r = -0.263, p = 0.010) were negatively correlated with EPDS score, and were valuable for the prediction of PPD, with AUC and 95%CI of 0.890 (0.809-0.945), 0.683 (0.579-0.775) and 0.699 (0.596-0.790), respectively. Moreover, OXT concentrations in plasma (r = 0.407, p < 0.001) and saliva (r = 0.624, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with CSF OXT concentrations. LIMITATIONS Only full-term pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section were included in this study, which may affect study generalizability. CONCLUSIONS The central and peripheral release of OXT is coordinated, and OXT level measured prenatally in CSF, plasma, or saliva is valuable for the prediction of PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianmin Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingwen Zhuang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Changde City, Changde 415000, Hunan, China
| | - Ronghua Zuo
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huiwen Zheng
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingjing Dang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China.
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Kou J, Zhang Y, Zhou F, Sindermann C, Montag C, Becker B, Kendrick KM. A randomized trial shows dose-frequency and genotype may determine the therapeutic efficacy of intranasal oxytocin. Psychol Med 2022; 52:1959-1968. [PMID: 33272333 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720003803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuropeptide oxytocin is proposed as a promising therapy for social dysfunction by modulating amygdala-mediated social-emotional behavior. Although clinical trials report some benefits of chronic treatment, it is unclear whether efficacy may be influenced by dose frequency or genotype. METHODS In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmaco-functional magnetic resonance imaging trial (150 male subjects), we investigated acute and different chronic (every day or on alternate days for 5 days) intranasal oxytocin (24 international units) effects and oxytocin receptor genotype-mediated treatment sensitivity on amygdala responses to face emotions. We also investigated similar effects on resting-state functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. RESULTS A single dose of oxytocin-reduced amygdala responses to all face emotions but for threatening (fear and anger) and happy faces, this effect was abolished after daily doses for 5 days but maintained by doses given every other day. The latter dose regime also enhanced associated anxious-arousal attenuation for fear faces. Oxytocin effects on reducing amygdala responses to face emotions only occurred in AA homozygotes of rs53576 and A carriers of rs2254298. The effects of oxytocin on resting-state functional connectivity were not influenced by either dose-frequency or receptor genotype. CONCLUSIONS Infrequent chronic oxytocin administration may be therapeutically most efficient and its anxiolytic neural and behavioral actions are highly genotype-dependent in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Kou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Cornelia Sindermann
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Montag
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
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9
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Lan C, Liu C, Li K, Zhao Z, Yang J, Ma Y, Scheele D, Yao S, Kendrick KM, Becker B. Oxytocinergic Modulation of Stress-Associated Amygdala-Hippocampus Pathways in Humans Is Mediated by Serotonergic Mechanisms. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:807-817. [PMID: 35723242 PMCID: PMC9593216 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) may exert anxiolytic and stress-reducing actions via modulatory effects on amygdala circuits. Animal models and initial findings in humans suggest that some of these effects are mediated by interactions with other neurotransmitter systems, in particular the serotonin (5-HT) system. Against this background, the present pharmacological resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study aimed to determine whether effects of OXT on stress-associated amygdala intrinsic networks are mediated by 5-HT. METHODS We employed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel-group, pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging resting-state experiment with 4 treatment groups in n = 112 healthy male participants. Participants underwent a transient decrease in 5-HT signaling via acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) or a corresponding placebo-control protocol before the administration of intranasal OXT (24 IU) or placebo intranasal spray. RESULTS OXT and 5-HT modulation exerted interactive effects on the coupling of the left amygdala with the ipsilateral hippocampus and adjacent midbrain. OXT increased intrinsic coupling in this pathway, whereas this effect of OXT was significantly attenuated during transiently decreased central serotonergic signaling induced via acute tryptophan depletion. In the absence of OXT or 5-HT modulation, this pathway showed a trend for an association with self-reported stress perception in everyday life. No interactive effects were observed for the right amygdala. CONCLUSIONS Together, the findings provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that the effects of OXT on stress-associated amygdala-hippocampal-midbrain pathways are critically mediated by the 5-HT system in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Keshuang Li
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China,School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiying Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jiaxin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute of Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yina Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute of Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University HospitalBonn, Bonn, Germany,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Shuxia Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- Correspondence: Benjamin Becker, PhD, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Xiyuan Avenue 2006, 611731 Chengdu, China ()
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10
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Luo L, Yang T, Zheng X, Zhang X, Gao S, Li Y, Stamatakis EA, Sahakian B, Becker B, Lin Q, Kendrick KM. Altered centromedial amygdala functional connectivity in adults is associated with childhood emotional abuse and predicts levels of depression and anxiety. J Affect Disord 2022; 303:148-154. [PMID: 35157948 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment is significantly associated with greater occurrence of mental disorders in adulthood such as depression and anxiety. As a key node of the limbic system, the amygdala is engaged in emotional processing and regulation and is dysfunctional in many psychiatric disorders. The present study aimed at exploring the association between childhood maltreatment and amygdala-based functional networks and their potential contributions to depression and anxiety. METHODS Totally 90 Chinese healthy volunteers participated in a resting-state fMRI experiment. Levels of childhood maltreatment experience were assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF) as well as levels of depression and anxiety. Associations between CTQ-SF scores and bilateral amygdala gray matter volume and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) of the amygdala and selected regions of interest were analyzed using multiple regression analyses with sex and age as covariates. A subsequent moderation analysis was performed to identify whether associations were predictive of depression and anxiety levels. RESULTS Childhood maltreatment was significantly negatively associated with RSFC between left amygdala and anterior insula. Further sub-region analyses revealed that this negative association only occurred for the left centromedial amygdala subregion, which subsequently moderated the relationship between levels of childhood emotional abuse and depression / anxiety. LIMITATIONS No psychiatric patients were involved and specific neural associations with different childhood maltreatment subtypes need to be examined in future studies. CONCLUSION The present findings provide evidence for altered RSFC of centromedial amygdala and the anterior insula associated with childhood maltreatment and which moderate levels of depression and anxiety in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhu Luo
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China; Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Ting Yang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zheng
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xindi Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Shan Gao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Yunge Li
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Emmanuel A Stamatakis
- Division of Anaesthesia, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Barbara Sahakian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Qiyuan Lin
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China.
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11
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Glavonic E, Mitic M, Adzic M. Hallucinogenic drugs and their potential for treating fear-related disorders: Through the lens of fear extinction. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:947-969. [PMID: 35165930 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fear-related disorders, mainly phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, are highly prevalent, debilitating disorders that pose a significant public health problem. They are characterized by aberrant processing of aversive experiences and dysregulated fear extinction, leading to excessive expression of fear and diminished quality of life. The gold standard for treating fear-related disorders is extinction-based exposure therapy (ET), shown to be ineffective for up to 35% of subjects. Moreover, ET combined with traditional pharmacological treatments for fear-related disorders, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, offers no further advantage to patients. This prompted the search for ways to improve ET outcomes, with current research focused on pharmacological agents that can augment ET by strengthening fear extinction learning. Hallucinogenic drugs promote reprocessing of fear-imbued memories and induce positive mood and openness, relieving anxiety and enabling the necessary emotional engagement during psychotherapeutic interventions. Mechanistically, hallucinogens induce dynamic structural and functional neuroplastic changes across the fear extinction circuitry and temper amygdala's hyperreactivity to threat-related stimuli, effectively mitigating one of the hallmarks of fear-related disorders. This paper provides the first comprehensive review of hallucinogens' potential to alleviate symptoms of fear-related disorders by focusing on their effects on fear extinction and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We overview both preclinical and clinical studies and emphasize the advantages of hallucinogenic drugs over current first-line treatments. We highlight 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and ketamine as the most effective therapeutics for fear-related disorders and discuss the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for their potency with implications for improving hallucinogen-assisted psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilija Glavonic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Mitic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miroslav Adzic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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12
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Martins D, Brodmann K, Veronese M, Dipasquale O, Mazibuko N, Schuschnig U, Zelaya F, Fotopoulou A, Paloyelis Y. "Less is more": a dose-response account of intranasal oxytocin pharmacodynamics in the human brain. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 211:102239. [PMID: 35122880 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Intranasal oxytocin is attracting attention as a potential treatment for several brain disorders due to promising preclinical results. However, translating findings to humans has been hampered by remaining uncertainties about its pharmacodynamics and the methods used to probe its effects in the human brain. Using a dose-response design (9, 18 and 36 IU), we demonstrate that intranasal oxytocin-induced changes in local regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the amygdala at rest, and in the covariance between rCBF in the amygdala and other key hubs of the brain oxytocin system, follow a dose-response curve with maximal effects for lower doses. Yet, the effects on local rCBF might vary by amygdala subdivision, highlighting the need to qualify dose-response curves within subregion. We further link physiological changes with the density of the oxytocin receptor gene mRNA across brain regions, strengthening our confidence in intranasal oxytocin as a valid approach to engage central targets. Finally, we demonstrate that intranasal oxytocin does not disrupt cerebrovascular reactivity, which corroborates the validity of haemodynamic neuroimaging to probe the effects of intranasal oxytocin in the human brain. DATA AVAILABILITY: Participants did not consent for open sharing of the data. Therefore, data can only be accessed from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Martins
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Katja Brodmann
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Mattia Veronese
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ottavia Dipasquale
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ndaba Mazibuko
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | | | - Fernando Zelaya
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Aikaterini Fotopoulou
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yannis Paloyelis
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
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13
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Lv Q, Pan Y, Chen X, Wei J, Wang W, Zhang H, Wan J, Li S, Zhuang Y, Yang B, Ma D, Ren D, Zhao Z. Depression in multiple system atrophy: Views on pathological, clinical and imaging aspects. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:980371. [PMID: 36159911 PMCID: PMC9492977 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.980371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a common atypical parkinsonism, characterized by a varying combination of autonomic, cerebellar, and pyramidal systems. It has been noticed that the patients with MSA can be accompanied by some neuropsychiatric disorders, in particular depression. However, there is limited understanding of MSA-related depression. To bridge existing gaps, we summarized research progress on this topic and provided a new perspective regarding pathological, clinical, and imaging aspects. Firstly, we synthesized corresponding studies in order to investigate the relationship between depression and MSA from a pathological perspective. And then, from a clinical perspective, we focused on the prevalence of depression in MS patients and the comparison with other populations. Furthermore, the associations between depression and some clinical characteristics, such as life quality and gender, have been reported. The available neuroimaging studies were too sparse to draw conclusions about the radiological aspect of depression in MSA patients but we still described them in the presence of paper. Finally, we discussed some limitations and shortcomings existing in the included studies, which call for more high-quality basic research and clinical research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyi Lv
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuxin Pan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingpei Wei
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jifeng Wan
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shiqiang Li
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhuang
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Baolin Yang
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dayong Ma
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dawei Ren
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zijun Zhao
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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14
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Gao J, Yang X, Chen X, Liu R, Wang P, Meng F, Li Z, Zhou Y. Resting-state functional connectivity of the amygdala subregions in unmedicated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder before and after cognitive behavioural therapy. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2021; 46:E628-E638. [PMID: 34785511 PMCID: PMC8598242 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.210084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered an effective first-line treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the neural basis of CBT for OCD has not yet been elucidated. The role of the amygdala in OCD and its functional coupling with the cerebral cortex have received increasing attention, and may provide new understanding of the neural basis of CBT for OCD. METHODS We acquired baseline resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) scans from 45 unmedicated patients with OCD and 40 healthy controls; we then acquired another wave of resting-state fMRI scans from the patients with OCD after 12 weeks of CBT. We performed seed-based resting-state functional connectivity analyses of the amygdala subregions to examine changes in patients with OCD as a result of CBT. RESULTS Compared to healthy controls, patients with OCD showed significantly increased resting-state functional connectivity at baseline between the left basolateral amygdala and the right middle frontal gyrus, and between the superficial amygdala and the right cuneus. In patients with OCD who responded to CBT, we found decreased resting-state functional connectivity after CBT between the amygdala subregions and the visual association cortices and increased resting-state functional connectivity between the amygdala subregions and the right inferior parietal lobe. Furthermore, these changes in resting-state functional connectivity were positively associated with changes in scores on the compulsion or obsession subscales of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. LIMITATIONS Because of the lack of a second scan for healthy controls after 12 weeks, our results may have been confounded by other variables. CONCLUSION Our findings yield insights into the pathophysiology of OCD; they also reveal the potential neural changes elicited by CBT, and thus have implications for guiding effective treatment strategies with CBT for OCD.
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15
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Xie S, Hu Y, Fang L, Chen S, Botchway BOA, Tan X, Fang M, Hu Z. The association of oxytocin with major depressive disorder: role of confounding effects of antidepressants. Rev Neurosci 2021; 33:59-77. [PMID: 33989469 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a genetic susceptible disease, and a psychiatric syndrome with a high rate of incidence and recurrence. Because of its complexity concerning etiology and pathogenesis, the cure rate of first-line antidepressants is low. In recent years, accumulative evidences revealed that oxytocin act as a physiological or pathological participant in a variety of complex neuropsychological activities, including major depressive disorder. Six electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang) were employed for researching relevant publications. At last, 226 articles were extracted. The current review addresses the correlation of the oxytocin system and major depressive disorder. Besides, we summarize the mechanisms by which the oxytocin system exerts potential antidepressant effects, including regulating neuronal activity, influencing neuroplasticity and regeneration, altering neurotransmitter release, down regulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, and genetic effects. Increasing evidence shows that oxytocin and its receptor gene may play a potential role in major depressive disorder. Future research should focus on the predictive ability of the oxytocin system as a biomarker, as well as its role in targeted prevention and early intervention of major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Xie
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China.,Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Fang
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China
| | - Shijia Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Benson O A Botchway
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Tan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Marong Fang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiying Hu
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Integrated Chinese and West Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 208 Huanchendong Road, 310003Hangzhou, China
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16
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Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) has modulatory effects in both human behavior and in the brain, which is not limited in the specific brain area but also with the potential effect on connectivity with other brain regions. Evidence indicates that OT effects on human behavior are multifaceted, such as trust behavior, decrease anxiety, empathy and bonding behavior. For the vital role of mentalizing in understanding others, here we examine whether OT has a general effect on mentalizing brain network which is associated to the effect of related social behavioral and personality traits. Using a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled group design, we investigate the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging after intranasal OT or placebo. The functional connectivity (FC) maps with seed in left/right temporoparietal junction (lTPJ/rTPJ) showed that OT significantly increased connectivity between rTPJ and default attention network (DAN), but decreased the FC between lTPJ and medial prefrontal network (MPN). With machine learning approach, we report that identified altered FCs of TPJ can classify OT and placebo (PL) group. Moreover, individual's empathy trait can modulate the FC between left TPJ and right rectus (RECT), which shows a positive correlation with empathic concern in PL group but a negative correlation in OT group. These results demonstrate that OT has significant effect on FC with lTPJ and rTPJ, brain regions where are critical for mentalizing, and the empathy concern can modulate the FC. These findings advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms by which OT modulates social behaviors, especially in social interaction involving mentalizing.
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17
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Shi Y, Wang Y, Zeng Y, Zhan H, Huang S, Cai G, Yang J, Wu W. Personality differences in brain network mechanisms for placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia in experimental pain: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:371. [PMID: 33842592 PMCID: PMC8033354 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Placebo and nocebo responses have been increasingly gaining the attention of clinical and scientific researchers. Inconsistent conclusions from current studies indicate that different factors potentially affect both placebo and nocebo responses. Increasing evidence suggests that personality differences may affect the mechanisms of both two responses. In the present work, we explored the characteristics of neural signals of placebo and nocebo responses based on functional connectivity (FC) analysis and Granger causality analysis (GCA). Methods A total of 34 healthy participants received conditional induction training to establish placebo and nocebo responses. Every participant completed the following experimental workflow, including scanning of baseline, experimental low back pain model establishment, scanning of acute pain status, and scanning of placebo response or nocebo response. We collect visual analogue scale (VAS) data after each scanning. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from different personality groups were subjected to FC analysis and multivariate GCA (mGCA). Results Pain scores for placebo and nocebo responses were statistically different across different personality. There are also statistically differences in the neural signals of two responses across different personality. Conclusions The findings of the present study indicated that extroverted and introverted participants are likely to experience placebo analgesic effects and nocebo hyperalgesia effects, respectively. Both extroverted and introverted participants showed significant changes in brain networks under placebo response. Variation in emotional control and ventromedial prefrontal cortex inactivity may constitute the bulk of the personality differences in placebo analgesia. Differences in the regulation of the sensory conduction system (SCS) and release of the emotional circuit could be important factors affecting personality differences in nocebo hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongrui Zhan
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shimin Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiyuan Cai
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianming Yang
- Department of Radiology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Intranasal oxytocin decreases fear generalization in males, but does not modulate discrimination threshold. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:677-689. [PMID: 33241482 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05720-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A previously acquired fear response often spreads to perceptually or conceptually close stimuli or contexts. This process, known as fear generalization, facilitates the avoidance of danger, and dysregulations in this process play an important role in anxiety disorders. Oxytocin (OT) has been shown to modulate fear learning, yet effects on fear generalization remain unknown. METHODS We employed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, between-subject design during which healthy male participants received either intranasal OT or placebo (PLC) following fear acquisition and before fear generalization with concomitant acquisition of skin conductance responses (SCRs). Twenty-four to 72 h before the fear learning and immediately after the fear generalization task, participants additionally complete a discrimination threshold task. RESULTS Relative to PLC, OT significantly reduced perceived risk and SCRs towards the CS+ and GS1 (the generalization stimulus that is most similar to CS+) during fear generalization, whereas the discrimination threshold was not affected. CONCLUSIONS Together, the results suggest that OT can attenuate fear generalization in the absence of effects on discrimination threshold. This study provides the first evidence for effects of OT on fear generalization in humans and suggests that OT may have therapeutic potential in anxiety disorders characterized by dysregulated fear generalization.
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Zheng S, Punia D, Wu H, Liu Q. Graph Theoretic Analysis Reveals Intranasal Oxytocin Induced Network Changes Over Frontal Regions. Neuroscience 2021; 459:153-165. [PMID: 33484821 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we aim to elucidate how intranasal oxytocin modulates brain network characteristics, especially over the frontal network. As an essential brain hub of social cognition and emotion regulation, we also explore the association between graphic properties of the frontal network and individual personality traits under oxytocin (OT) administration. Fifty-nine male participants administered intranasal OT or placebo were followed by resting-state fMRI scanning. The correlation-based network model was applied to study OT modulation effects. We performed community detection algorithms and conducted further network analyses, including clustering coefficient, average shortest path and eigenvector centrality. In addition, we conducted a correlation analysis between clustering coefficients and the self-assessed psychological scales. Modular organizations in the OT group reveal integrations of the frontoparietal network (FPN) and the default mode network (DMN) over frontal regions. Results show that frontal nodes within the FPN are characterized by lower clustering coefficients and higher average shortest path values compared to the placebo group. Notably, these modulation effects on frontal network property are associated with Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) fantasy value. Our results suggest that OT elevates integrations between FPN, DMN and limbic system as well as reduces small-worldness within the FPN. Our results support graph theoretic analysis as a potential tool to assess OT induced effects on the information integration in the frontal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhan Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | | | - Haiyan Wu
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau.
| | - Quanying Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Quintana DS, Lischke A, Grace S, Scheele D, Ma Y, Becker B. Advances in the field of intranasal oxytocin research: lessons learned and future directions for clinical research. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:80-91. [PMID: 32807845 PMCID: PMC7815514 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00864-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Reports on the modulatory role of the neuropeptide oxytocin on social cognition and behavior have steadily increased over the last two decades, stimulating considerable interest in its psychiatric application. Basic and clinical research in humans primarily employs intranasal application protocols. This approach assumes that intranasal administration increases oxytocin levels in the central nervous system via a direct nose-to-brain route, which in turn acts upon centrally-located oxytocin receptors to exert its behavioral effects. However, debates have emerged on whether intranasally administered oxytocin enters the brain via the nose-to-brain route and whether this route leads to functionally relevant increases in central oxytocin levels. In this review we outline recent advances from human and animal research that provide converging evidence for functionally relevant effects of the intranasal oxytocin administration route, suggesting that direct nose-to-brain delivery underlies the behavioral effects of oxytocin on social cognition and behavior. Moreover, advances in previously debated methodological issues, such as pre-registration, reproducibility, statistical power, interpretation of non-significant results, dosage, and sex differences are discussed and integrated with suggestions for the next steps in translating intranasal oxytocin into psychiatric applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Quintana
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Alexander Lischke
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sally Grace
- School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Yina Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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21
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Jiang X, Ma X, Geng Y, Zhao Z, Zhou F, Zhao W, Yao S, Yang S, Zhao Z, Becker B, Kendrick KM. Intrinsic, dynamic and effective connectivity among large-scale brain networks modulated by oxytocin. Neuroimage 2020; 227:117668. [PMID: 33359350 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin is a key modulator of social-emotional behavior and its intranasal administration can influence the functional connectivity of brain networks involved in the control of attention, emotion and reward reported in humans. However, no studies have systematically investigated the effects of oxytocin on dynamic or directional aspects of functional connectivity. The present study employed a novel computational framework to investigate these latter aspects in 15 oxytocin-sensitive regions using data from randomized placebo-controlled between-subject resting state functional MRI studies incorporating 200 healthy subjects. In order to characterize the temporal dynamics, the 'temporal state' was defined as a temporal segment of the whole functional MRI signal which exhibited a similar functional interaction pattern among brain regions of interest. Results showed that while no significant effects of oxytocin were found on brain temporal state related characteristics (including temporal state switching frequency, probability of transitions between neighboring states, and averaged dwell time on each state) oxytocin extensively (n = 54 links) modulated effective connectivity among the 15 regions. The effects of oxytocin were primarily characterized by increased effective connectivity both between and within emotion, reward, salience, attention and social cognition processing networks and their interactions with the default mode network. Top-down control over emotional processing regions such as the amygdala was particularly affected. Oxytocin also increased effective homotopic interhemispheric connectivity in almost all these regions. Additionally, the effects of oxytocin on effective connectivity were sex-dependent, being more extensive in males. Overall, these findings suggest that modulatory effects of oxytocin on both within- and between-network interactions may underlie its functional influence on social-emotional behaviors, although in a sex-dependent manner. These findings may be of particular relevance to potential therapeutic use of oxytocin in psychiatric disorders associated with social dysfunction, such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, where directionality of treatment effects on causal interactions between networks may be of key importance .
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Jiang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaole Ma
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yayuan Geng
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiying Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuxia Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shimin Yang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhongbo Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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22
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Harvey AR. Links Between the Neurobiology of Oxytocin and Human Musicality. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:350. [PMID: 33005139 PMCID: PMC7479205 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human species possesses two complementary, yet distinct, universal communication systems—language and music. Functional imaging studies have revealed that some core elements of these two systems are processed in closely related brain regions, but there are also clear differences in brain circuitry that likely underlie differences in functionality. Music affects many aspects of human behavior, especially in encouraging prosocial interactions and promoting trust and cooperation within groups of culturally compatible but not necessarily genetically related individuals. Music, presumably via its impact on the limbic system, is also rewarding and motivating, and music can facilitate aspects of learning and memory. In this review these special characteristics of music are considered in light of recent research on the neuroscience of the peptide oxytocin, a hormone that has both peripheral and central actions, that plays a role in many complex human behaviors, and whose expression has recently been reported to be affected by music-related activities. I will first briefly discuss what is currently known about the peptide’s physiological actions on neurons and its interactions with other neuromodulator systems, then summarize recent advances in our knowledge of the distribution of oxytocin and its receptor (OXTR) in the human brain. Next, the complex links between oxytocin and various social behaviors in humans are considered. First, how endogenous oxytocin levels relate to individual personality traits, and then how exogenous, intranasal application of oxytocin affects behaviors such as trust, empathy, reciprocity, group conformity, anxiety, and overall social decision making under different environmental conditions. It is argued that many of these characteristics of oxytocin biology closely mirror the diverse effects that music has on human cognition and emotion, providing a link to the important role music has played throughout human evolutionary history and helping to explain why music remains a special prosocial human asset. Finally, it is suggested that there is a potential synergy in combining oxytocin- and music-based strategies to improve general health and aid in the treatment of various neurological dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
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23
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Xin F, Zhou X, Dong D, Zhao Z, Yang X, Wang Q, Gu Y, Kendrick KM, Chen A, Becker B. Oxytocin Differentially Modulates Amygdala Responses during Top-Down and Bottom-Up Aversive Anticipation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2001077. [PMID: 32832361 PMCID: PMC7435249 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ability to successfully regulate negative emotions such as fear and anxiety is vital for mental health. Intranasal administration of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has been shown to reduce amygdala activity but to increase amygdala-prefrontal cortex connectivity during exposure to threatening stimuli suggesting that it may act as an important modulator of emotion regulation. The present randomized, between-subject, placebo-controlled pharmacological study combines the intranasal administration of OXT with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during an explicit emotion regulation paradigm in 65 healthy male participants to investigate the modulatory effects of OXT on both bottom-up and top-down emotion regulation. OXT attenuates the activation in the posterior insular cortex and amygdala during anticipation of top-down regulation of predictable threat stimuli in participants with high trait anxiety. In contrast, OXT enhances amygdala activity during the bottom-up anticipation of unpredictable threat stimuli in participants with low trait anxiety. OXT may facilitate top-down goal-directed attention by attenuating amygdala activity in high anxiety individuals, while promoting bottom-up attention/vigilance to unexpected threats by enhancing amygdala activity in low anxiety individuals. OXT may thus have the potential to promote an adaptive balance between bottom-up and top-down attention systems depending on an individual's trait anxiety level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xin
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Xiyuan Avenue 2006 Chengdu 611731 China
| | - Xinqi Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Xiyuan Avenue 2006 Chengdu 611731 China
| | - Debo Dong
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Xiyuan Avenue 2006 Chengdu 611731 China
| | - Zhongbo Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Xiyuan Avenue 2006 Chengdu 611731 China
| | - Xi Yang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Xiyuan Avenue 2006 Chengdu 611731 China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Xiyuan Avenue 2006 Chengdu 611731 China
| | - Yan Gu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Tiansheng Road 2 Chongqing 400715 China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Xiyuan Avenue 2006 Chengdu 611731 China
| | - Antao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Tiansheng Road 2 Chongqing 400715 China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Xiyuan Avenue 2006 Chengdu 611731 China
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24
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Oxytocin induces long-lasting adaptations within amygdala circuitry in autism: a treatment-mechanism study with randomized placebo-controlled design. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1141-1149. [PMID: 32161366 PMCID: PMC7234999 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0653-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Intranasal administration of the neuropeptide oxytocin (IN-OT) is increasingly explored as a potential treatment for targeting the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To date, however, the impact of multiple-dose IN-OT treatment on human neural circuitry is largely unknown, and also the possibility that long-term IN-OT use may induce long-lasting neural adaptations remains unexplored. Using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, between-subject design (including 38 adult men with ASD), this treatment-mechanism study showed that 4 weeks of daily oxytocin administration (24 IU/day) significantly altered intrinsic (resting-state fMRI) functional connectivity of the amygdala to core regions of the "social brain" (particularly orbitofrontal cortex and superior temporal sulcus) up to 4 weeks and 1 year post treatment. The neural adaptations in functional coupling of the amygdala to the orbitofrontal cortex were associated with reduced feelings of avoidance toward others and-at the trend level-reduced repetitive behaviors. These observations contribute to a deeper mechanistic understanding of the neural substrates that underlie behavioral effects of multiple-dose IN-OT treatment, and provide initial insights into the long-lasting neural consequences of chronic IN-OT use on amygdala circuitry. Future studies are however warranted to further elucidate the long-term impact of IN-OT treatment on human neural circuitry and its behavioral consequences.
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25
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Abram SV, De Coster L, Roach BJ, Mueller BA, van Erp TGM, Calhoun VD, Preda A, Lim KO, Turner JA, Ford JM, Mathalon DH, Woolley JD. Oxytocin Enhances an Amygdala Circuit Associated With Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Single-Dose, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover, Randomized Control Trial. Schizophr Bull 2020; 46:661-669. [PMID: 31595302 PMCID: PMC7147578 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbz091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Negative symptoms are core contributors to vocational and social deficits in schizophrenia (SZ). Available antipsychotic medications typically fail to reduce these symptoms. The neurohormone oxytocin (OT) is a promising treatment for negative symptoms, given its role in complex social behaviors mediated by the amygdala. In sample 1, we used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design to test the effects of a single dose of intranasal OT on amygdala resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in SZ (n = 22) and healthy controls (HC, n = 24) using a whole-brain corrected approach: we identified regions for which OT modulated SZ amygdala rsFC, assessed whether OT-modulated circuits were abnormal in SZ relative to HC on placebo, and evaluated whether connectivity on placebo and OT-induced connectivity changes correlated with baseline negative symptoms in SZ. Given our modest sample size, we used a second SZ (n = 183) and HC (n = 178) sample to replicate any symptom correlations. In sample 1, OT increased rsFC between the amygdala and left middle temporal gyrus, superior temporal sulcus, and angular gyrus (MTG/STS/AngG) in SZ compared to HC. Further, SZ had hypo-connectivity in this circuit compared to HC on placebo. More severe negative symptoms correlated with less amygdala-to-left-MTG/STS/AngG connectivity on placebo and with greater OT-induced connectivity increases. In sample 2, we replicated the correlation between amygdala-left-MTG/STS/AngG hypo-connectivity and negative symptoms, finding a specific association with expressive negative symptoms. These data suggest intranasal OT can normalize functional connectivity in an amygdala-to-left-MTG/STS/AngG circuit that contributes to negative symptoms in SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha V Abram
- Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, San Francisco VA Medical Center, and the University of California, San Francisco, CA,Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lize De Coster
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brian J Roach
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Bryon A Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Theo G M van Erp
- Clinical Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Vince D Calhoun
- The Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM,Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Adrian Preda
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kelvin O Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | - Judith M Ford
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Daniel H Mathalon
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Joshua D Woolley
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,To whom correspondence should be addressed; 4150 Clement Street, Box (116C-1 [Joshua Woolley]), San Francisco, CA 94121, US; tel: 415-221-4810-x24117; fax: 415-379-5667, e-mail:
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26
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Acute and Repeated Intranasal Oxytocin Differentially Modulate Brain-wide Functional Connectivity. Neuroscience 2020; 445:83-94. [PMID: 31917352 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Central release of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) modulates neural substrates involved in socio-affective behavior. This property has prompted research into the use of intranasal OXT administration as an adjunctive therapy for brain conditions characterized by social impairment, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the neural circuitry and brain-wide functional networks recruited by intranasal OXT administration remain elusive. Moreover, little is known of the neuroadaptive cascade triggered by long-term administration of this peptide at the network level. To address these questions, we applied fMRI-based circuit mapping in adult mice upon acute and repeated (seven-day) intranasal dosing of OXT. We report that acute and chronic OXT administration elicit comparable fMRI activity as assessed with cerebral blood volume mapping, but entail largely different patterns of brain-wide functional connectivity. Specifically, acute OXT administration focally boosted connectivity within key limbic components of the rodent social brain, whereas repeated dosing led to a prominent and widespread increase in functional connectivity, involving a strong coupling between the amygdala and extended cortical territories. Importantly, this connectional reconfiguration was accompanied by a paradoxical reduction in social interaction and communication in wild-type mice. Our results identify the network substrates engaged by exogenous OXT administration, and show that repeated OXT dosing leads to a substantial reconfiguration of brain-wide connectivity, entailing an aberrant functional coupling between cortico-limbic structures involved in socio-communicative and affective functions. Such divergent patterns of network connectivity might contribute to discrepant clinical findings involving acute or long-term OXT dosing in clinical populations.
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27
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Ditzen B, Eckstein M, Fischer M, Aguilar-Raab C. Partnerschaft und Gesundheit. PSYCHOTHERAPEUT 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00278-019-00379-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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28
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Schiller B, Koenig T, Heinrichs M. Oxytocin modulates the temporal dynamics of resting EEG networks. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13418. [PMID: 31558733 PMCID: PMC6763457 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49636-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is a key modulator of social interaction, but we possess little knowledge of its underlying effects on neuropsychological processes. We used a spatio-temporal EEG microstates analysis to reveal oxytocin's effects on the temporal dynamics of intrinsically generated activity in neural networks. Given oxytocin's known anxiolytic effects, we hypothesized that it increases the temporal stability of the four archetypal EEG resting networks. Eighty-six male participants had received oxytocin or placebo intranasally before we recorded their resting EEG. As hypothesized, oxytocin globally increased the average duration of the four archetypal resting networks and specifically decreased the occurrence and coverage of an autonomic processing-related network to benefit greater coverage of an attention-related network. Moreover, these neurophysiological changes were more pronounced in participants with high anxiety levels and strong subjectively experienced effects of the oxytocin administration. In sum, our study shows that oxytocin reduces rapid switching among neural resting networks by increasing their temporal stability. Specifically, it seems to reduce the brain's need for preparing the internally-oriented processing of autonomic information, thus enabling the externally-oriented processing of social information. Changes in the temporal dynamics of resting networks might underlie oxytocin's anxiolytic effects - potentially informing innovative psychobiological treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Schiller
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, University of Freiburg, DE-79104, Freiburg, Germany.
- Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, DE-79104, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Koenig
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, CH-3000, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Markus Heinrichs
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, University of Freiburg, DE-79104, Freiburg, Germany.
- Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, DE-79104, Freiburg, Germany.
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29
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Nguyen AJ, Hoyer E, Rajhans P, Strathearn L, Kim S. A tumultuous transition to motherhood: Altered brain and hormonal responses in mothers with postpartum depression. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12794. [PMID: 31520440 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common but complex condition that is poorly understood and multifactorial in aetiology. It is a condition that can compromise the mother's care for her infant, which may pose challenges to the formation of the mother-infant bond and the infant's overall development. Past research has looked at abnormalities in the brain circuitry and hormonal profiles of mothers with PPD compared to non-depressed mothers. However, abnormalities in PPD that may specifically affect the mother's care of her infant have not been clearly assessed. Thus, the present review aims to synthesise studies of altered brain and hormonal responses in mothers with PPD in relation to their care of their infant. First, we review maternal brain responses and their relation to PPD symptomatology, focusing on the salience/fear network, reward/attachment network and default mode network. Next, we discuss oxytocin and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones in the context of maternal behaviour and PPD. Finally, we synthesise these findings and propose how future studies may benefit from the combined study of both neural and hormonal activity to better understand the underlying neurobiology of maternal care in PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Nguyen
- School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elisabeth Hoyer
- School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Purva Rajhans
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Lane Strathearn
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sohye Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Reproductive Psychiatry, Pavilion for Women, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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30
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Grace SA, Labuschagne I, Castle DJ, Rossell SL. Intranasal oxytocin alters amygdala-temporal resting-state functional connectivity in body dysmorphic disorder: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 107:179-186. [PMID: 31146138 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aetiology of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is poorly understood. Recent evidence from functional brain imaging studies suggests that BDD is associated with aberrant task-based functional connectivity and that intranasal oxytocin (OXT) may improve network connectivity in BDD patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intranasal OXT on amygdala resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in BDD. In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design, 19 BDD participants and 17 demographically matched healthy control participants received intranasal OXT (24 IU) or placebo prior to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The left and right amygdala were seeded as regions of interest, and temporal correlations between the amygdalae and all other voxels comprising cortical and subcortical grey matter were investigated. Compared to healthy controls, BDD patients showed greater baseline (placebo) rsFC between the left amygdala and two clusters within the left temporal lobe and one cluster within the superior frontal gyrus which was reversed following OXT administration. The control group also showed significantly greater rsFC between the left amygdala and anterior prefrontal cortex in the OXT session compared to placebo. Whilst preliminary, these findings suggest that BDD patients exhibit abnormal amygdala-temporal connectivity at rest, and OXT might have a role in changing this functional relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Grace
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia; School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Izelle Labuschagne
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David J Castle
- Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan L Rossell
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia; Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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31
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Velasco ER, Florido A, Milad MR, Andero R. Sex differences in fear extinction. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 103:81-108. [PMID: 31129235 PMCID: PMC6692252 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite the exponential increase in fear research during the last years, few studies have included female subjects in their design. The need to include females arises from the knowledge gap of mechanistic processes underlying the behavioral and neural differences observed in fear extinction. Moreover, the exact contribution of sex and hormones in relation to learning and behavior is still largely unknown. Insights from this field could be beneficial as fear-related disorders are twice as prevalent in women compared to men. Here, we review an up-to-date summary of animal and human studies in adulthood that report sex differences in fear extinction from a structural and functional approach. Furthermore, we describe how these factors could contribute to the observed sex differences in fear extinction during normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R Velasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Florido
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - M R Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - R Andero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Corporació Sanitaria Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain; Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
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32
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Petereit P, Rinn C, Stemmler G, Mueller EM. Oxytocin reduces the link between neural and affective responses after social exclusion. Biol Psychol 2019; 145:224-235. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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33
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Alaerts K, Bernaerts S, Vanaudenaerde B, Daniels N, Wenderoth N. Amygdala-Hippocampal Connectivity Is Associated With Endogenous Levels of Oxytocin and Can Be Altered by Exogenously Administered Oxytocin in Adults With Autism. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:655-663. [PMID: 30846366 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin (OT) plays a pivotal role in interpersonal bonding, affiliation, and trust, and its intranasal administration is increasingly considered as a potential treatment for autism spectrum disorder. METHODS We explored whether variations in endogenous salivary OT concentration are related to interindividual differences in core autism symptoms and expressions of attachment in 38 male adults with autism spectrum disorder. Further, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was adopted to specifically explore whether interindividual differences are reflected in the intrinsic network organization of key regions of the central oxytocinergic system. RESULTS Positive correlations were identified between peripheral OT and expressions of secure attachment (the State Adult Attachment Measure and the Inventory of Peer Attachment), but no significant relationships were identified with scales assessing core autism symptom domains (the Social Responsiveness Scale and the Repetitive Behavior Scale). At the neural level, higher levels of endogenous OT were associated with lower degrees of interregional functional coupling between the amygdala and hippocampal regions. Interestingly, a single dose of exogenously administered OT induced a further reduction in amygdala-hippocampal connectivity, indicating that a higher availability of OT can alter the degree of amygdala-hippocampal connectivity. CONCLUSIONS The identified associations between the oxytocinergic system, expressions of secure attachment, and amygdala-hippocampal pathways are anticipated to be of relevance for understanding the role of OT in modulating appropriate neural and physiological responses to stress and restoring homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Alaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sylvie Bernaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Vanaudenaerde
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, Group Biomedical Sciences, Pneumology Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neural Control of Movement Lab, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, Zurich, Switzerland
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Oxytocin for learning calm and safety. Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 136:5-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Interactive effects of OXTR and GAD1 on envy-associated behaviors and neural responses. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210493. [PMID: 30633779 PMCID: PMC6329522 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inequity aversion (negative feelings induced by outcome differences between the self and other) plays a key role in human social behaviors. The neurotransmitters oxytocin and GABA have been implicated in neural responses to inequity. However, it remains poorly understood not only how individual genetic factors related to oxytocin and GABA affect the neural mechanisms behind inequity aversion, but also how these genes interact. To address these issues, we examined relationships between genotypes, behavioral decisions and brain activities during the ultimatum game. We identified interactive effects between the polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and glutamate decarboxylase 1 gene for GABA synthesis (GAD1) on envy aversion (i.e., disadvantageous inequity aversion) and on envy-induced activity in the dorsal ACC (dACC). Thus, our integrated approach suggested interactive genetic effects between OXTR and GAD1 on envy aversion and the underlying neural substrates.
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Acute and long-lasting effects of oxytocin in cortico-limbic circuits: consequences for fear recall and extinction. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:339-354. [PMID: 30302511 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5030-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The extinction of conditioned fear responses entrains the formation of safe new memories to decrease those behavioral responses. The knowledge in neuronal mechanisms of extinction is fundamental in the treatment of anxiety and fear disorders. Interestingly, the use of pharmacological compounds that reduce anxiety and fear has been shown as a potent co-adjuvant in extinction therapy. However, the efficiency and mechanisms by which pharmacological compounds promote extinction of fear memories remains still largely unknown and would benefit from a validation based on functional neuronal circuits, and the neurotransmitters that modulate them. From this perspective, oxytocin receptor signaling, which has been shown in cortical and limbic areas to modulate numerous functions (Eliava et al. Neuron 89(6):1291-1304, 2016), among them fear and anxiety circuits, and to enhance the salience of social stimuli (Stoop Neuron 76(1):142-59, 2012), may offer an interesting perspective. Experiments in animals and humans suggest that oxytocin could be a promising pharmacological agent at adjusting memory consolidation to boost fear extinction. Additionally, it is possible that long-term changes in endogenous oxytocin signaling can also play a role in reducing expression of fear at different brain targets. In this review, we summarize the effects reported for oxytocin in cortico-limbic circuits and on fear behavior that are of relevance for the modulation and potential extinction of fear memories.
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Markett S, Wudarczyk OA, Biswal BB, Jawinski P, Montag C. Affective Network Neuroscience. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:895. [PMID: 30618543 PMCID: PMC6298244 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Markett
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olga A. Wudarczyk
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bharat B. Biswal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Philippe Jawinski
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Montag
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Insitute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Xin F, Zhou F, Zhou X, Ma X, Geng Y, Zhao W, Yao S, Dong D, Biswal BB, Kendrick KM, Becker B. Oxytocin Modulates the Intrinsic Dynamics Between Attention-Related Large-Scale Networks. Cereb Cortex 2018; 31:1848-1860. [PMID: 30535355 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention and salience processing have been linked to the intrinsic between- and within-network dynamics of large-scale networks engaged in internal (default network [DN]) and external attention allocation (dorsal attention network [DAN] and salience network [SN]). The central oxytocin (OXT) system appears ideally organized to modulate widely distributed neural systems and to regulate the switch between internal attention and salient stimuli in the environment. The current randomized placebo (PLC)-controlled between-subject pharmacological resting-state fMRI study in N = 187 (OXT, n = 94; PLC, n = 93; single-dose intranasal administration) healthy male and female participants employed an independent component analysis approach to determine the modulatory effects of OXT on the within- and between-network dynamics of the DAN-SN-DN triple network system. OXT increased the functional integration between subsystems within SN and DN and increased functional segregation of the DN with both attentional control networks (SN and DAN). Whereas no sex differences were observed, OXT effects on the DN-SN interaction were modulated by autistic traits. Together, the findings suggest that OXT may facilitate efficient attention allocation by modulating the intrinsic functional dynamics between DN components and large-scale networks involved in external attentional demands (SN and DAN).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xin
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Xinqi Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaole Ma
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Yayuan Geng
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Shuxia Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Debo Dong
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Bharat B Biswal
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731 Chengdu, China
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Rubin LH, Li S, Yao L, Keedy SK, Reilly JL, Hill SK, Bishop JR, Carter CS, Pournajafi-Nazarloo H, Drogos LL, Gershon E, Pearlson GD, Tamminga CA, Clementz BA, Keshavan MS, Lui S, Sweeney JA. Peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin modulates regional brain activity differently in men and women with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2018; 202:173-179. [PMID: 30539769 PMCID: PMC6293995 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) exert sexually dimorphic effects on cognition and emotion processing. Abnormalities in these hormones are observed in schizophrenia and may contribute to multiple established sex differences associated with the disorder. Here we examined sex-dependent hormone associations with resting brain activity and their clinical associations in schizophrenia patients. METHODS OT and AVP serum concentrations were assayed in 35 individuals with schizophrenia (23 men) and 60 controls (24 men) from the Chicago BSNIP study site. Regional cerebral function was assessed with resting state fMRI by measuring the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) which are believed to reflect intrinsic spontaneous neuronal activity. RESULTS In female patients, lower OT levels were associated with lower ALFF in frontal and cerebellar cortices (p's < 0.05) and in female controls AVP levels were inversely associated with ALFF in the frontal cortex (p = 0.01). In male patients, lower OT levels were associated with lower ALFF in the posterior cingulate and lower AVP levels were associated with lower ALFF in frontal cortex (p's < 0.05). In male controls, lower OT levels were associated with lower ALFF in frontal cortex and higher ALFF in the thalamus (p's < 0.05). There were some inverse ALFF-behavior associations in patients. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in peripheral hormone levels are associated with resting brain physiology in a sex-dependent manner in schizophrenia. These effects may contribute to sex differences in psychiatric symptom severity and course of illness in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah H. Rubin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL,Departments of Neurology and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Siyi Li
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Yao
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sarah K. Keedy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - James L. Reilly
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Scot K. Hill
- Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL
| | - Jeffrey R. Bishop
- Departments of Pharmacy and Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | | | - Lauren L. Drogos
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Elliot Gershon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Godfrey D. Pearlson
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Yale University and Olin Neuropsychiatric Research Center, Hartford, CT
| | - Carol A. Tamminga
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | - Matcheri S. Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Su Lui
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| | - John A. Sweeney
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China,Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati
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40
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Intranasal oxytocin and OXTR genotype effects on resting state functional connectivity: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:17-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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41
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Eckstein M, Bamert V, Stephens S, Wallen K, Young LJ, Ehlert U, Ditzen B. Oxytocin increases eye-gaze towards novel social and non-social stimuli. Soc Neurosci 2018; 14:594-607. [PMID: 30378456 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2018.1542341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Research on oxytocin (OT) has revealed a substantial involvement of this neuropeptide in social cognition processes and attachment behavior. The rationale of the present project was to decipher the differential role of OT in basic social cognition processes towards non-erotic attachment stimuli vs. reproduction-related stimuli in human subjects. In a randomized double-blind repeated-measures cross-over design, N = 82 participants were investigated twice and received either intranasal OT or placebo at the first assessment followed by placebo or OT at second assessment. Participants were presented with standardized pictures of parent-child dyads, romantic couples engaging in non-erotic or explicit sexual activities, and non-social pictures while we assessed pupil dilation and eye focus on specific pre-defined areas of interest. Multilevel analyses suggest that during the initial presentation, OT increased pupil dilation towards all categories of stimuli and led the eye focus towards the eyes and body regions, followed by a strong decrease in pupil dilation and fixations at the second session. These carry-over effects indicate that hormonal treatment at an initial contact to social stimuli can determine how these stimuli are processed later. These results might have implications for OT as a treatment in interventions with repeated exposure to social material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Eckstein
- a Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Vera Bamert
- a Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Shannon Stephens
- b Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Kim Wallen
- c Department of Psychology, Emory University , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Larry J Young
- d Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- e Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Beate Ditzen
- a Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University , Heidelberg , Germany
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42
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Chang J, Yu R. Alternations in functional connectivity of amygdalar subregions under acute social stress. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 9:264-270. [PMID: 30450390 PMCID: PMC6234264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala has long been considered a vital region involved in acute and chronic stress responses. Extensive evidences from animal and human studies suggest that the functional connectivity of amygdalar subnuclei (basolateral amygdala (BLA), centromedial amygdala (CMA) and superficial amygdala (SFA)) undergo specific alterations in stress-related psychopathology. However, whether and how intrinsic functional connectivity within the amygdalar subcomponents is differently altered in the aftermath of an acute stressor remains unknown. In the present study, using a within-subject design, we examined the impact of acute psychological social stress on the functional connectivity of amygdalar subregions at rest. Results showed that stress mainly affected the connectivity pattern of CMA. In particular, in the stress condition compared with the control, the connectivity of CMA to left posterior cingulate cortex and right thalamus was decreased under stress, while the connectivity of CMA to left caudate connectivity was increased at rest post-stressor. The findings suggest that healthy individuals may adapt to threatening surroundings by reducing threatening information input, and shifting to well-learned procedural behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Chang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongjun Yu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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43
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Grace SA, Rossell SL, Heinrichs M, Kordsachia C, Labuschagne I. Oxytocin and brain activity in humans: A systematic review and coordinate-based meta-analysis of functional MRI studies. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 96:6-24. [PMID: 29879563 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide which has a critical role in human social behaviour and cognition. Research investigating the role of OXT on functional brain changes in humans has often used task paradigms that probe socioemotional processes. Preliminary evidence suggests a central role of the amygdala in the social cognitive effects of intranasal OXT (IN-OXT), however, inconsistencies in task-design and analysis methods have led to inconclusive findings regarding a cohesive model of the neural mechanisms underlying OXT's actions. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically investigate these findings. A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases was conducted for fMRI studies which compared IN-OXT to placebo in humans. First, we systematically reviewed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of IN-OXT, including studies of healthy humans, those with clinical disorders, and studies examining resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI). Second, we employed a coordinate-based meta-analysis for task-based neuroimaging literature using activation likelihood estimation (ALE), whereby, coordinates were extracted from clusters with significant differences in IN-OXT versus placebo in healthy adults. Data were included for 39 fMRI studies that reported a total of 374 distinct foci. The meta-analysis identified task-related IN-OXT increases in activity within a cluster of the left superior temporal gyrus during tasks of emotion processing. These findings are important as they implicate regions beyond the amygdala in the neural effects of IN-OXT. The outcomes from this meta-analysis can guide a priori predictions for future OXT research, and provide an avenue for targeted treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Grace
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Susan L Rossell
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia; Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Markus Heinrichs
- School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Izelle Labuschagne
- School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
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44
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Zimmermann J, Deris N, Montag C, Reuter M, Felten A, Becker B, Weber B, Markett S. A common polymorphism on the oxytocin receptor gene (rs2268498) and resting-state functional connectivity of amygdala subregions - A genetic imaging study. Neuroimage 2018; 179:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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45
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Zhao Z, Ma X, Geng Y, Zhao W, Zhou F, Wang J, Markett S, Biswal BB, Ma Y, Kendrick KM, Becker B. Oxytocin differentially modulates specific dorsal and ventral striatal functional connections with frontal and cerebellar regions. Neuroimage 2018; 184:781-789. [PMID: 30266264 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.09.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between oxytocin and the basal ganglia are central in current overarching conceptualizations of its broad modulatory effects on behavior. Whereas evidence from animal models emphasizes the critical role of the ventral striatum in the behavioral effects of oxytocin, region-specific contributions of the basal ganglia have not been systematically explored in humans. The present study combined the randomized placebo-controlled administration of oxytocin versus placebo in healthy men (n = 144) with fMRI-based resting-state functional connectivity to determine the modulatory role of oxytocin on the major basal ganglia pathways. Oxytocin specifically increased connectivity between ventral striatal and pallidal nodes with upstream frontal regions, whereas it decreased the strengths of downstream pathways between the dorsal striatum and posterior cerebellum. These pathways have previously been implicated in salience, reward and behavioral flexibility, thus shaping goal-directed behavior. Given the importance of aberrant striatal intrinsic organization in autism, addiction and schizophrenia the present findings may suggest new mechanistic perspectives for the therapeutic potential of oxytocin in these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaole Ma
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yayuan Geng
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaojian Wang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Sebastian Markett
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bharat B Biswal
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Yina Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute of Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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46
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Network Neuroscience and Personality. PERSONALITY NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 1:e14. [PMID: 32435733 PMCID: PMC7219685 DOI: 10.1017/pen.2018.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Personality and individual differences originate from the brain. Despite major advances in the affective and cognitive neurosciences, however, it is still not well understood how personality and single personality traits are represented within the brain. Most research on brain-personality correlates has focused either on morphological aspects of the brain such as increases or decreases in local gray matter volume, or has investigated how personality traits can account for individual differences in activation differences in various tasks. Here, we propose that personality neuroscience can be advanced by adding a network perspective on brain structure and function, an endeavor that we label personality network neuroscience. With the rise of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the establishment of connectomics as a theoretical framework for structural and functional connectivity modeling, and recent advancements in the application of mathematical graph theory to brain connectivity data, several new tools and techniques are readily available to be applied in personality neuroscience. The present contribution introduces these concepts, reviews recent progress in their application to the study of individual differences, and explores their potential to advance our understanding of the neural implementation of personality. Trait theorists have long argued that personality traits are biophysical entities that are not mere abstractions of and metaphors for human behavior. Traits are thought to actually exist in the brain, presumably in the form of conceptual nervous systems. A conceptual nervous system refers to the attempt to describe parts of the central nervous system in functional terms with relevance to psychology and behavior. We contend that personality network neuroscience can characterize these conceptual nervous systems on a functional and anatomical level and has the potential do link dispositional neural correlates to actual behavior.
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47
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Zhang X, Cheng H, Zuo Z, Zhou K, Cong F, Wang B, Zhuo Y, Chen L, Xue R, Fan Y. Individualized Functional Parcellation of the Human Amygdala Using a Semi-supervised Clustering Method: A 7T Resting State fMRI Study. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:270. [PMID: 29755313 PMCID: PMC5932177 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The amygdala plays an important role in emotional functions and its dysfunction is considered to be associated with multiple psychiatric disorders in humans. Cytoarchitectonic mapping has demonstrated that the human amygdala complex comprises several subregions. However, it's difficult to delineate boundaries of these subregions in vivo even if using state of the art high resolution structural MRI. Previous attempts to parcellate this small structure using unsupervised clustering methods based on resting state fMRI data suffered from the low spatial resolution of typical fMRI data, and it remains challenging for the unsupervised methods to define subregions of the amygdala in vivo. In this study, we developed a novel brain parcellation method to segment the human amygdala into spatially contiguous subregions based on 7T high resolution fMRI data. The parcellation was implemented using a semi-supervised spectral clustering (SSC) algorithm at an individual subject level. Under guidance of prior information derived from the Julich cytoarchitectonic atlas, our method clustered voxels of the amygdala into subregions according to similarity measures of their functional signals. As a result, three distinct amygdala subregions can be obtained in each hemisphere for every individual subject. Compared with the cytoarchitectonic atlas, our method achieved better performance in terms of subregional functional homogeneity. Validation experiments have also demonstrated that the amygdala subregions obtained by our method have distinctive, lateralized functional connectivity (FC) patterns. Our study has demonstrated that the semi-supervised brain parcellation method is a powerful tool for exploring amygdala subregional functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianchang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hewei Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhentao Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Zhou
- College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Center for Language and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MR Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Fan
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Aghajani M, Klapwijk ET, Colins OF, Ziegler C, Domschke K, Vermeiren RRJM, van der Wee NJA. Interactions Between Oxytocin Receptor Gene Methylation and Callous-Unemotional Traits Impact Socioaffective Brain Systems in Conduct-Disordered Offenders. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2018; 3:379-391. [PMID: 29628070 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The developmental trajectory of psychopathy seemingly begins early in life and includes the presence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits (e.g., perturbed socioaffective reactivity and empathy, callousness) in youths with conduct disorder (CD). Whereas oxytocin receptor gene methylation (OXTRMeth) and its downstream neuromodulatory effects are deemed relevant to CU traits, nothing is known of how OXTRMeth interacts with CU traits to impact socioaffective brain systems in youngsters with CD. METHODS Hence, we uniquely probed OXTRMeth × CU trait interactions on corticolimbic activity and amygdala subregional connections during recognition and resonance of distressing socioaffective stimuli (angry and fearful faces), in juvenile offenders with CD (n = 39) versus matched healthy control youths (n = 27). RESULTS Relative to healthy control youths, elevated OXTRMeth and CU levels in youths with CD essentially interacted to predict frontoparietal hyperactivity and amygdalo-frontoparietal disconnection during task performance. Specifically, increasing OXTRMeth and CU levels in youths with CD interactively predicted midcingulate hyperactivity during both emotion conditions, with insular, temporoparietal, and precuneal hyperactivity additionally emerging during emotion recognition. Interactions between high OXTRMeth and CU levels in youths with CD additionally predicted centromedial amygdala decoupling from ventromedial/orbitofrontal regions during emotion recognition, along with basolateral amygdala decoupling from precuneal and temporoparietal cortices during emotion resonance. CONCLUSIONS These results uniquely suggest that interactions between OXTRMeth and CU traits in youths with CD may affect brain systems critical to decoding and integrating socioaffective information. Developmental models of CU traits and psychopathy could thus possibly advance by further examining OXTR epigenetic effects, which may hold promise for indicated prevention and personalized treatment by targeting oxytocinergic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moji Aghajani
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Eduard T Klapwijk
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands; Brain and Development Research Center, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Olivier F Colins
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christiane Ziegler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Robert R J M Vermeiren
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nic J A van der Wee
- Department of Pschiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
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49
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Chen B, Luo M, Liang J, Zhang C, Gao C, Wang J, Wang J, Li Y, Xu D, Liu L, Zhang N, Chen H, Qin J. Surface modification of PGP for a neutrophil-nanoparticle co-vehicle to enhance the anti-depressant effect of baicalein. Acta Pharm Sin B 2018; 8:64-73. [PMID: 29872623 PMCID: PMC5985696 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2017.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Exploiting cells as vehicles combined with nanoparticles combined with therapy has attracted increasing attention in the world recently. Red blood cells, leukocytes and stem cells have been used for tumor immunotherapy, tissue regeneration and inflammatory disorders, and it is known that neutrophils can accumulate in brain lesions in many brain diseases including depression. N-Acetyl Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) peptide shows high specific binding affinity to neutrophils through the CXCR2 receptor. In this study, PGP was used to modify baicalein-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (PGP-SLNs) to facilitate binding to neutrophils in vivo. Brain-targeted delivery to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) was demonstrated by enhanced concentration of baicalein in the BLA. An enhanced anti-depressant effect was observed in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism involved inhibition of apoptosis and a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase release. Behavioral evaluation carried out with rats demonstrated that anti-depression outcomes were achieved. The results indicate that PGP-SLNs decrease immobility time, increase swimming time and climbing time and attenuate locomotion in olfactory-bulbectomized (OB) rats. In conclusion, PGP modification is a strategy for targeting the brain with a cell-nanoparticle delivery system for depression therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Chen
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Man Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianming Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China
- The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Chun Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China
- The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Caifang Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China
- The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianxin Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China
- The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yongji Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Desheng Xu
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lina Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Huijun Chen
- The Second Hospital Affiliated Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Jing Qin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China
- The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Corresponding authors.
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50
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Bowen MT, Neumann ID. Rebalancing the Addicted Brain: Oxytocin Interference with the Neural Substrates of Addiction. Trends Neurosci 2017; 40:691-708. [PMID: 29128108 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Drugs that act on the brain oxytocin (OXT) system may provide a much-needed treatment breakthrough for substance-use disorders. Targeting the brain OXT system has the potential to treat addiction to all major classes of addictive substance and to intervene across all stages of the addiction cycle. Emerging evidence suggests that OXT is able to interfere with such a wide range of addictive behaviours for such a wide range of addictive substances by rebalancing core neural systems that become dysregulated over the course of addiction. By improving our understanding of these interactions between OXT and the neural substrates of addiction, we will not only improve our understanding of addiction, but also our ability to effectively treat these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bowen
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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