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Rivas M, Ferreira A, Torterolo P, Benedetto L. Hypocretins, sleep, and maternal behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1184885. [PMID: 37456808 PMCID: PMC10347526 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1184885] [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: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The postpartum period is a demanding time during which mothers experience numerous physiological adaptations that enable them to care for their offspring while maintaining their wellbeing. Hypocretins, also known as orexins, are neuropeptides synthesized by hypothalamic neurons that play a fundamental role in several functions, including the promotion of wakefulness and motivated behaviors, such as maternal care. In this regard, several findings suggest that the activity of the hypocretinergic system increases in the early postpartum period and begins to decline as weaning approaches. In particular, hypocretins within the medial preoptic area, a crucial region during this period, modulate both maternal behavior and sleep. Although further studies are necessary to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the role of hypocretins in lactating females, current research suggests that this system participates in promoting active components of maternal behavior and regulating wakefulness and sleep adjustments during the postpartum period, potentially leading to increased wakefulness during this stage. These adaptive adjustments enable the mother to cope with the continuously changing demands of the pups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayda Rivas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Annabel Ferreira
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Torterolo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luciana Benedetto
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Salminen I, Read S, Crespi B. Do the diverse phenotypes of Prader-Willi syndrome reflect extremes of covariation in typical populations? Front Genet 2022; 13:1041943. [PMID: 36506301 PMCID: PMC9731222 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1041943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenotypes of human imprinted neurogenetic disorders can be hypothesized as extreme alterations of typical human phenotypes. The imprinted neurogenetic disorder Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) features covarying phenotypes that centrally involve altered social behaviors, attachment, mood, circadian rhythms, and eating habits, that can be traced to altered functioning of the hypothalamus. Here, we conducted analyses to investigate the extent to which the behavioral variation shown in typical human populations for a set of PWAS-associated traits including autism spectrum cognition, schizotypal cognition, mood, eating, and sleeping phenotypes shows covariability that recapitulates the covariation observed in individuals with PWS. To this end, we collected data from 296 typical individuals for this set of phenotypes, and showed, using principal components analysis, evidence of a major axis reflecting key covarying PWS traits. We also reviewed the literature regarding neurogenetic syndromes that overlap in their affected traits with PWS, to determine their prevalence and properties. These findings demonstrate that a notable suite of syndromes shows phenotypic overlap with PWS, implicating a large set of imprinted and non-imprinted genes, some of which interact, in the phenotypes of this disorder. Considered together, these findings link variation in and among neurogenetic disorders with variation in typical populations, especially with regard to pleiotropic effects mediated by the hypothalamus. This work also implicates effects of imprinted gene variation on cognition and behavior in typical human populations.
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Lonstein JS, Linning-Duffy K, Tang Y, Moody A, Yan L. Impact of daytime light intensity on the central orexin (hypocretin) system of a diurnal rodent (Arvicanthis niloticus). Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:4167-4181. [PMID: 33899987 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide orexin/hypocretin is implicated in sleep and arousal, energy expenditure, reward, affective state and cognition. Our previous work using diurnal Nile grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) found that orexin mediates the effects of environmental light, particularly daytime light intensity, on affective and cognitive behaviours. The present study further investigated how daytime light intensity affects the central orexin system in male and female grass rats. Subjects were housed for 4 weeks in 12:12 hr dim light:dark (50 lux, dimLD) or in 12:12 hr bright light:dark cycle (1000 lux, brightLD). Day/night fluctuations in some orexin measures were also assessed. Despite similar hypothalamic prepro-orexin mRNA expression across all conditions, there were significantly more orexin-immunoreactive neurons, larger somata, greater optical density or higher orexin A content at night (ZT14) than during the day (ZT2), and/or in animals housed in brightLD compared to dimLD. Grass rats in brightLD also had higher cisternal CSF levels of orexin A. Furthermore, orexin receptor OX1R and OX2R proteins in the medial prefrontal cortex were higher in brightLD than dimLD males, but lower in brightLD than dimLD females. In the CA1 and dorsal raphe nucleus, females had higher OX1R than males without any significant effects of light condition, and OX2R levels were unaffected by sex or light. These results reveal that daytime light intensity alters the central orexin system of both male and female diurnal grass rats, sometimes sex-specifically, and provides insight into the mechanisms underlying how daytime light intensity impacts orexin-regulated functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Lonstein
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Katrina Linning-Duffy
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yuping Tang
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Anna Moody
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Lily Yan
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Stanquini LA, Sartim AG, Joca SRL. Orexin A injection into the ventral medial prefrontal cortex induces antidepressant-like effects: Possible involvement of local Orexin-1 and Trk receptors. Behav Brain Res 2020; 395:112866. [PMID: 32827568 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Reduced levels of orexin-A (OXA) in the central nervous system (CNS) have been associated with the pathophysiology of depression and its exogenous administration promotes antidepressant-like effect. The mechanisms associated with these effects are, however, not yet known. Herein, we investigated the hypothesis that OXA effects could be associated with orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) activation, in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), a brain region that is central to depression neurobiology. OBJECTIVES 1. To Investigate the effects induced by OXA administration into the vmPFC; 2. Evaluate the participation of OX1R and TrkB in behavioral responses induced by OXA. METHODS Male Wistar rats received intra-vmPFC injections of OXA (10, 50 and 100 pmol/0.2 μL) and were exposed to the forced swimming test (FST) or the open field test (OFT). Independent groups received an intra-vmPFC injection of SB334867 (OX1R antagonist, 10 nmol/0.2 μL) or K252a (non-selective Trk antagonist, 10 pmol/0.2 μL), before local injection of OXA, and were exposed to the same tests. RESULTS OXA injection (100 pmol/0.2 μL) into the vmPFC induced antidepressant-like effect, which was prevented by SB334867 and K252a pretreatments. CONCLUSION OXA signaling in the vmPFC induces antidepressant-like effect in the FST which is dependent on OX1R and Trk receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Stanquini
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - A G Sartim
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - S R L Joca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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Yan L, Lonstein JS, Nunez AA. Light as a modulator of emotion and cognition: Lessons learned from studying a diurnal rodent. Horm Behav 2019; 111:78-86. [PMID: 30244030 PMCID: PMC6456444 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Light profoundly affects the behavior and physiology of almost all animals, including humans. One such effect in humans is that the level of illumination during the day positively contributes to affective well-being and cognitive function. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of daytime light intensity on affect and cognition are poorly understood. One barrier for progress in this area is that almost all laboratory animal models studied are nocturnal. There are substantial differences in how light affects nocturnal and diurnal species, e.g., light induces sleep in nocturnal mammals but wakefulness in diurnal ones, like humans. Therefore, the mechanisms through which light modulates affect and cognition must differ between the chronotypes. To further understand the neural pathways mediating how ambient light modulates affect and cognition, our recent work has developed a diurnal rodent model, the Nile grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus), in which daytime light intensity is chronically manipulated in grass rats housed under the same 12:12 hour light/dark cycle. This simulates lighting conditions during summer-like bright sunny days vs. winter-like dim cloudy days. Our work has revealed that chronic dim daylight intensity results in higher depression- and anxiety-like behaviors, as well as impaired spatial learning and memory. Furthermore, we have found that hypothalamic orexin is a mediator of these effects. A better understanding of how changes in daytime light intensity impinge upon the neural substrates involved in affect and cognition will lead to novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for seasonal affective disorder, as well as for non-seasonal emotional or cognitive impairments associated with light deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Yan
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Joseph S Lonstein
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Antonio A Nunez
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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The weaning period promotes alterations in the orexin neuronal population of rats in a suckling-dependent manner. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:3739-3755. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1723-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Bridges RS. Long-term alterations in neural and endocrine processes induced by motherhood in mammals. Horm Behav 2016; 77:193-203. [PMID: 26388065 PMCID: PMC4724454 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Parental Care". The reproductive experience of pregnancy, lactation and motherhood can significantly remodel the female's biological state, affecting endocrine, neuroendocrine, neural, and immunological processes. The brain, pituitary gland, liver, thymus, and mammary tissue are among the structures that are modified by reproductive experience. The present review that focuses on rodent research, but also includes pertinent studies in sheep and other species, identifies specific changes in these processes brought about by the biological states of pregnancy, parturition, and lactation and how the components of reproductive experience contribute to the remodeling of the maternal brain and organ systems. Findings indicate that prior parity alters key circulating hormone levels and neural receptor gene expression. Moreover, reproductive experience results in modifications in neural processes and glial support. The possible role of pregnancy-induced neurogenesis is considered in the context of neuroplasticity and behavior, and the effects of reproductive experience on maternal memory, i.e. the retention of maternal behavior, together with anxiety and learning are presented. Together, these sets of findings support the concept that the neural and biological state of the adult female is significantly and dramatically altered on a long-term basis by the experiences of parity and motherhood. Remodeling of the maternal brain and other biological systems is posited to help facilitate adaptations to environmental/ecological challenges as the female raises young and ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Bridges
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA.
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