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Menon R, Neumann ID. Detection, processing and reinforcement of social cues: regulation by the oxytocin system. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:761-777. [PMID: 37891399 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00759-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Many social behaviours are evolutionarily conserved and are essential for the healthy development of an individual. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is crucial for the fine-tuned regulation of social interactions in mammals. The advent and application of state-of-the-art methodological approaches that allow the activity of neuronal circuits involving OXT to be monitored and functionally manipulated in laboratory mammals have deepened our understanding of the roles of OXT in these behaviours. In this Review, we discuss how OXT promotes the sensory detection and evaluation of social cues, the subsequent approach and display of social behaviour, and the rewarding consequences of social interactions in selected reproductive and non-reproductive social behaviours. Social stressors - such as social isolation, exposure to social defeat or social trauma, and partner loss - are often paralleled by maladaptations of the OXT system, and restoring OXT system functioning can reinstate socio-emotional allostasis. Thus, the OXT system acts as a dynamic mediator of appropriate behavioural adaptations to environmental challenges by enhancing and reinforcing social salience and buffering social stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Menon
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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2
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Hidalgo-Figueroa M, Salazar A, Romero-López-Alberca C, MacDowell KS, García-Bueno B, Bioque M, Bernardo M, Parellada M, González-Pinto A, García-Portilla MP, Lobo A, Rodriguez-Jimenez R, Berrocoso E, Leza JC. Association of Prolactin, Oxytocin, and Homocysteine With the Clinical and Cognitive Features of a First Episode of Psychosis Over a 1-Year Follow-Up. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:796-807. [PMID: 37603404 PMCID: PMC10674080 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyad051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical debut of schizophrenia is frequently a first episode of psychosis (FEP). As such, there is considerable interest in identifying associations between biological markers and clinical or cognitive characteristics that help predict the progression and outcome of FEP patients. Previous studies showed that high prolactin, low oxytocin, and high homocysteine are factors associated with FEP 6 months after diagnosis, at which point plasma levels were correlated with some clinical and cognitive characteristics. METHODS We reexamined 75 patients at 12 months after diagnosis to measure the evolution of these molecules and assess their association with clinical features. RESULTS At follow-up, FEP patients had lower prolactin levels than at baseline, and patients treated with risperidone or paliperidone had higher prolactin levels than patients who received other antipsychotic agents. By contrast, no changes in oxytocin and homocysteine plasma levels were observed between the baseline and follow-up. In terms of clinical features, we found that plasma prolactin and homocysteine levels were correlated with the severity of the psychotic symptoms in male FEP patients, suggesting that they might be factors associated with psychotic symptomatology but only in men. Together with oxytocin, these molecules may also be related to sustained attention, verbal ability, and working memory cognitive domains in FEP patients. CONCLUSION This study suggests that focusing on prolactin, oxytocin, and homocysteine at a FEP may help select adequate pharmacological treatments and develop new tools to improve the outcome of these patients, where sex should also be borne in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hidalgo-Figueroa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Psychobiology Area, Department of Psychology, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Alejandro Salazar
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
- The Observatory of Pain, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Cristina Romero-López-Alberca
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
- Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment Area, Department of Psychology, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Karina S MacDowell
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja García-Bueno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miquel Bioque
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPs), Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Bernardo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPs), Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mara Parellada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana González-Pinto
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario de Alava, BIOARABA, EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - M Paz García-Portilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Antonio Lobo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Roberto Rodriguez-Jimenez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12)/Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Psychobiology Area, Department of Psychology, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
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3
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Ziemka-Nalecz M, Pawelec P, Ziabska K, Zalewska T. Sex Differences in Brain Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14571. [PMID: 37834018 PMCID: PMC10572175 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A remarkable feature of the brain is its sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism in brain structure and function is associated with clinical implications documented previously in healthy individuals but also in those who suffer from various brain disorders. Sex-based differences concerning some features such as the risk, prevalence, age of onset, and symptomatology have been confirmed in a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. The mechanisms responsible for the establishment of sex-based differences between men and women are not fully understood. The present paper provides up-to-date data on sex-related dissimilarities observed in brain disorders and highlights the most relevant features that differ between males and females. The topic is very important as the recognition of disparities between the sexes might allow for the identification of therapeutic targets and pharmacological approaches for intractable neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Teresa Zalewska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5, A. Pawinskiego Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.-N.); (P.P.); (K.Z.)
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4
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Cuesta-Marti C, Uhlig F, Muguerza B, Hyland N, Clarke G, Schellekens H. Microbes, oxytocin and stress: Converging players regulating eating behavior. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13243. [PMID: 36872624 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin is a peptide-hormone extensively studied for its multifaceted biological functions and has recently gained attention for its role in eating behavior, through its action as an anorexigenic neuropeptide. Moreover, the gut microbiota is involved in oxytocinergic signaling through the brain-gut axis, specifically in the regulation of social behavior. The gut microbiota is also implicated in appetite regulation and is postulated to play a role in central regulation of hedonic eating. In this review, we provide an overview on oxytocin and its individual links with the microbiome, the homeostatic and non-homeostatic regulation of eating behavior as well as social behavior and stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cuesta-Marti
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Friederike Uhlig
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Physiology, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Begoña Muguerza
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Nutrigenomics Research Group, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Niall Hyland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Physiology, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Harriët Schellekens
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
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5
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Hennig-Fast K, Meissner D, Steuwe C, Dehning S, Blautzik J, Eilert DW, Zill P, Müller N, Meindl T, Reiser M, Möller HJ, Falkai P, Driessen M, Buchheim A. The Interplay of Oxytocin and Attachment in Schizophrenic Patients: An fMRI Study. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1125. [PMID: 37626482 PMCID: PMC10452454 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13081125] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attachment theory offers an important framework for understanding interpersonal interaction experiences. In the present study, we examined the neural correlates of attachment patterns and oxytocin in schizophrenic patients (SZP) compared to healthy controls (HC) using fMRI. We assumed that male SZP shows a higher proportion of insecure attachment and an altered level of oxytocin compared to HC. On a neural level, we hypothesized that SZP shows increased neural activation in memory and self-related brain regions during the activation of the attachment system compared to HC. METHODS We used an event-related design for the fMRI study based on stimuli that were derived from the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System to examine attachment representations and their neural and hormonal correlates in 20 male schizophrenic patients compared to 20 male healthy controls. RESULTS A higher proportion of insecure attachment in schizophrenic patients compared to HC could be confirmed. In line with our hypothesis, Oxytocin (OXT) levels in SZP were significantly lower than in HC. We found increasing brain activations in SZP when confronted with personal relevant sentences before attachment relevant pictures in the precuneus, TPJ, insula, and frontal areas compared to HC. Moreover, we found positive correlations between OXT and bilateral dlPFC, precuneus, and left ACC in SZP only. CONCLUSION Despite the small sample sizes, the patients' response might be considered as a mode of dysregulation when confronted with this kind of personalized attachment-related material. In the patient group, we found positive correlations between OXT and three brain areas (bilateral dlPFC, precuneus, left ACC) and may conclude that OXT might modulate within this neural network in SZP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Hennig-Fast
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80336 Munich, Germany (H.-J.M.); (P.F.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bielefeld, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Dominik Meissner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80336 Munich, Germany (H.-J.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Carolin Steuwe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bielefeld, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sandra Dehning
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80336 Munich, Germany (H.-J.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Janusch Blautzik
- Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk W. Eilert
- Department of Psychology, University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Zill
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80336 Munich, Germany (H.-J.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Norbert Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80336 Munich, Germany (H.-J.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Thomas Meindl
- Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reiser
- Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Möller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80336 Munich, Germany (H.-J.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80336 Munich, Germany (H.-J.M.); (P.F.)
| | - Martin Driessen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bielefeld, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anna Buchheim
- Department of Psychology, University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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6
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Rømer TB, Jeppesen R, Christensen RHB, Benros ME. Biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with psychotic disorders compared to healthy controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2277-2290. [PMID: 37169812 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02059-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders with poorly understood etiology. Biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could provide etiological clues and diagnostic tools for psychosis; however, an unbiased overview of CSF alterations in individuals with psychotic disorders is lacking. The objective of this study was to summarize all quantifiable findings in CSF from individuals with psychotic disorders compared to healthy controls (HC). Studies published before January 25th, 2023 were identified searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and PsycINFO. Screening, full-text review, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments were performed by two independent reviewers following PRISMA guidelines. Findings in patients and healthy controls were compared and summarized using random-effects analyses and assessment of publication bias, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. 145 studies, covering 197 biomarkers, were included, of which 163 biomarkers have not previously been investigated in meta-analyses. All studies showed some degree of bias. 55 biomarkers measured in CSF were associated with psychosis and of these were 15 biomarkers measured in ≥2 studies. Patients showed increased levels of noradrenaline (standardized mean difference/SMD, 0.53; 95% confidence interval/CI, 0.16 to 0.90) and its metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (SMD, 0.30; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.55), the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (SMD, 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.21), the pro-inflammatory neurotransmitter kynurenic acid (SMD, 1.58; 95% CI: 0.34 to 2.81), its precursor kynurenine (SMD,0.99; 95% CI: 0.60 to 1.38), the cytokines interleukin-6 (SMD, 0.58; 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.77) and interleukin-8 (SMD, 0.43; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.62), the endocannabinoid anandamide (SMD, 0.78; 95% CI: 0.53 to 1.02), albumin ratio (SMD, 0.40; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.72), total protein (SMD, 0.29; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.43), immunoglobulin ratio (SMD, 0.45; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.85) and glucose (SMD, 0.48; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.94). Neurotensin (SMD, -0.67; 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.46) and γ-aminobutyric acid (SMD, -0.29; 95% CI: -0.50 to -0.09) were decreased. Most biomarkers showed no significant differences, including the dopamine metabolites homovanillic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. These findings suggest that dysregulation of the immune and adrenergic system as well as blood-brain barrier dysfunction are implicated in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troels Boldt Rømer
- Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rose Jeppesen
- Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rune Haubo Bojesen Christensen
- Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Eriksen Benros
- Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Yu H, Ni P, Zhao L, Tian Y, Li M, Li X, Wei W, Wei J, Deng W, Du X, Wang Q, Guo W, Ma X, Coid J, Li T. Decreased plasma neuropeptides in first-episode schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder: associations with clinical symptoms and cognitive function. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1180720. [PMID: 37275985 PMCID: PMC10235770 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1180720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is an urgent need to identify differentiating and disease-monitoring biomarkers of schizophrenia, bipolar disorders (BD), and major depressive disorders (MDD) to improve treatment and management. Methods We recruited 54 first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients, 52 BD patients, 35 MDD patients, and 54 healthy controls from inpatient and outpatient clinics. α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH), β-endorphin, neurotensin, orexin-A, oxytocin, and substance P were investigated using quantitative multiplex assay method. Psychotic symptoms were measured using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), manic symptoms using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and depressive symptoms using 17 item-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). We additionally measured cognitive function by using a battery of tests given to all participants. Results α-MSH, neurotensin, orexin-A, oxytocin, and substance P were decreased in the three patient groups compared with controls. Neurotensin outperformed all biomarkers in differentiating patient groups from controls. There were no significant differences for 6 neuropeptides in their ability to differentiate between the three patient groups. Higher neurotensin was associated with better executive function across the entire sample. Lower oxytocin and higher substance p were associated with more psychotic symptoms in FES and BD groups. β-endorphin was associated with early morning wakening symptom in all three patient groups. Conclusion Our research shows decreased circulating neuropeptides have the potential to differentiate severe mental illnesses from controls. These neuropeptides are promising treatment targets for improving clinical symptoms and cognitive function in FES, BD, and MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Yu
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peiyan Ni
- The Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liansheng Zhao
- The Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Tian
- The Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingli Li
- The Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinxue Wei
- The Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Deng
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangdong Du
- Suzhou Psychiatry Hospital, Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- The Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wanjun Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- The Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jeremy Coid
- The Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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8
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Goh KK, Lu ML. Relationship between the domains of theory of mind, social dysfunction, and oxytocin in schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 155:420-429. [PMID: 36182771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Social dysfunction, manifested by impaired social cognition, is contributing to poorer prognosis of patients with schizophrenia. Growing evidence indicates that oxytocin acts as a neurotransmitter in the regulation of social cognition. It still lacks a thorough understanding of how oxytocin is linked with deficits in social cognition and social functioning in schizophrenia. To this end, we aimed to study the role of plasma oxytocin levels in the relationship between subdomains of social cognition and social dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. Social Functioning Scale was administered to measure social dysfunction while Faux Pas Recognition Test was used to assess the Theory of Mind (ToM) in 40 patients with schizophrenia and 40 age-matched healthy controls. Patients with schizophrenia exhibited more deficits in ToM, more severe social dysfunction, and had lower plasma oxytocin levels, relative to healthy controls. A pooled correlation analysis of all participants revealed significant effects of plasma oxytocin levels on the ToM and social dysfunction. In patients with schizophrenia, plasma oxytocin levels were positively correlated with the affective but not cognitive component of the ToM, and the effects of plasma oxytocin levels on social functioning were partially mediated by affective ToM. Our findings underscore the importance of oxytocin as a potential predictor of ToM and social functioning in patients with schizophrenia. It may be worthwhile for future studies of oxytocin in schizophrenia to focus on an affected behavioral domain, e.g., social cognition, rather than diagnosis, and the targeted domain should be deconstructed into more detailed subdomains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Kheng Goh
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mong-Liang Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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9
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Are serum oxytocin concentrations lower in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia?: A 5-year longitudinal study. Asian J Psychiatr 2022; 76:103157. [PMID: 35551879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Marazziti D, Diep PT, Carter S, Carbone MG. Oxytocin: An Old Hormone, A Novel Psychotropic Drug And Possible Use In Treating Psychiatric Disorders. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:5615-5687. [PMID: 35894453 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220727120646] [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: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin is a nonapeptide synthesized in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus. Historically, this molecule has been involved as a key factor in the formation of infant attachment, maternal behavior and pair bonding and, more generally, in linking social signals with cognition, behaviors and reward. In the last decades, the whole oxytocin system has gained a growing interest as it was proposed to be implicated in etiopathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. METHODS With the main goal of an in-depth understanding of the oxytocin role in the regulation of different functions and complex behaviors as well as its intriguing implications in different neuropsychiatric disorders, we performed a critical review of the current state of art. We carried out this work through PubMed database up to June 2021 with the search terms: 1) "oxytocin and neuropsychiatric disorders"; 2) "oxytocin and neurodevelopmental disorders"; 3) "oxytocin and anorexia"; 4) "oxytocin and eating disorders"; 5) "oxytocin and obsessive-compulsive disorder"; 6) "oxytocin and schizophrenia"; 7) "oxytocin and depression"; 8) "oxytocin and bipolar disorder"; 9) "oxytocin and psychosis"; 10) "oxytocin and anxiety"; 11) "oxytocin and personality disorder"; 12) "oxytocin and PTSD". RESULTS Biological, genetic, and epigenetic studies highlighted quality and quantity modifications in the expression of oxytocin peptide or in oxytocin receptor isoforms. These alterations would seem to be correlated with a higher risk of presenting several neuropsychiatric disorders belonging to different psychopathological spectra. Collaterally, the exogenous oxytocin administration has shown to ameliorate many neuropsychiatric clinical conditions. CONCLUSION Finally, we briefly analyzed the potential pharmacological use of oxytocin in patient with severe symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and immunoregulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy.,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Phuoc-Tan Diep
- Department of Histopathology, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Carter
- Director Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Manuel G Carbone
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Division of Psychiatry, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
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11
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Peripheral oxytocin concentrations in psychiatric disorders - A systematic review and methanalysis: Further evidence. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 117:110561. [PMID: 35461971 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Increased interest in understanding how changes in the oxytocinergic system are associated with the etiology and progression of psychiatric disorders has currently boosted the publication of studies. We present a systematic literature review followed by meta-analyses assessing whether peripheral oxytocin (OXT) levels among psychiatric patients differ from healthy controls, considering the moderating role of methodological aspects and samples' characteristics. The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS, and Scopus. Fifty-five papers were included in the analysis, and nine independent meta-analyses were performed according to the different diagnoses. Lower OXT concentrations were found in groups of specific disorders (i.e., schizophrenia, restricting and binge-eating/purging subtypes of anorexia nervosa, and borderline personality disorder) with medium to large effect sizes. Great heterogeneity was found among the studies, so that caution is needed to interpret the results. High OXT levels with an effect size of the same magnitude were found for bipolar disorder - type I and obsessive disorder. In contrast, no differences were found for bulimia, autism spectrum, depression, or social anxiety. No meta-analyses were performed for body dysmorphic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or trichotillomania because only one study was identified for each of these disorders. Altered endogenous OXT concentrations are found in several disorders addressed and must be analyzed according to each disorder's specificities.
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12
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Florea T, Palimariciuc M, Cristofor AC, Dobrin I, Chiriță R, Bîrsan M, Dobrin RP, Pădurariu M. Oxytocin: Narrative Expert Review of Current Perspectives on the Relationship with Other Neurotransmitters and the Impact on the Main Psychiatric Disorders. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58070923. [PMID: 35888641 PMCID: PMC9318841 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58070923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Is a cyclic neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus and plays an important neuromodulatory role for other neurotransmitter systems, with an impact on behavior, response to danger, stress, and complex social interactions, such as pair bonding and child care. This narrative expert review examines the literature on oxytocin as a brain hormone. We focused on oxytocin structure, distribution, genetics, and the oxytocin receptor system, as well as the relationship of oxytocin with other neurotransmitters and the resulting impacts on the main psychiatric disorders. Oxytocin levels have been correlated over time with mental illness, with numerous studies focusing on oxytocin and the pathophysiology of the main psychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, personality disorders, mood, and eating disorders. We highlight the role oxytocin plays in improving symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and social behavior, as the literature suggests. Risk factors and causes for psychiatric disorders range from genetic to environmental and social factors. Oxytocin could impact the latter, being linked with other neurotransmitter systems that are responsible for integrating different situations during the development phases of individuals. Also, these systems have an important role in how the body responds to stressors or bonding with others, helping with the creation of social support groups that could speed up recovery in many situations. Oxytocin has the potential to become a key therapeutic agent for future treatment and prevention strategies concerning the main psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Florea
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
| | - Matei Palimariciuc
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Ana Caterina Cristofor
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Irina Dobrin
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Roxana Chiriță
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Magdalena Bîrsan
- Department of Drug Industry and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iaşi, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115 Iaşi, Romania;
| | - Romeo Petru Dobrin
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
- Correspondence:
| | - Manuela Pădurariu
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
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13
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Spilka MJ, Keller WR, Buchanan RW, Gold JM, Koenig JI, Strauss GP. Endogenous oxytocin levels are associated with facial emotion recognition accuracy but not gaze behavior in individuals with schizophrenia. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2022; 145:494-506. [PMID: 35243618 PMCID: PMC9007857 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Difficulties in social cognition are common in individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) and are not ameliorated by antipsychotic treatment. Intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration has been explored as a potential intervention to improve social cognition; however, results are inconsistent, suggesting potential individual difference variables that may influence treatment response. Less is known about the relationship between endogenous OT and social cognition in SZ, knowledge of which may improve the development of OT-focused therapies. We examined plasma OT in relationship to facial emotion recognition and visual attention to salient facial features in SZ and controls. METHODS Forty-two individuals with SZ and 23 healthy controls viewed photographs of facial expressions of varying emotional intensity and identified the emotional expression displayed. Participants' gaze behavior during the task was recorded via eye tracking. Plasma oxytocin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS SZ were less accurate than controls at identifying high-intensity fearful facial expressions and low-intensity sad expressions. Lower overall and high-intensity facial emotion recognition accuracy was associated with lower plasma OT levels in SZ but not controls. OT was not associated with visual attention to salient facial features; however, SZ had reduced visual attention to the nose region compared to controls. CONCLUSION Individual differences in endogenous OT predict facial emotion recognition ability in SZ but are not associated with visual attention to salient facial features. Increased understanding of the association between endogenous OT and social cognitive abilities in SZ may help improve the design and interpretation of OT-focused clinical trials in SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William R. Keller
- Dartmouth College, Geisel School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, USA
| | - Robert W. Buchanan
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, USA
| | - James M. Gold
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, USA
| | - James I. Koenig
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
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14
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Hidalgo-Figueroa M, Salazar A, Romero-López-Alberca C, MacDowell KS, García-Bueno B, Bioque M, Bernardo M, Parellada M, González-Pinto A, García Portilla MP, Lobo A, Rodriguez-Jimenez R, Berrocoso E, Leza JC. The Influence of Oxytocin and Prolactin During a First Episode of Psychosis: The Implication of Sex Differences, Clinical Features, and Cognitive Performance. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:666-677. [PMID: 35353882 PMCID: PMC9380712 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac023] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 3% of the population suffers a first episode of psychosis (FEP), and a high percentage of these patients subsequently relapse. Because the clinical course following a FEP is hard to predict, it is of interest to identify cognitive and biological markers that will help improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of such events and to define new therapeutic targets. Here we analyzed the plasma oxytocin and prolactin levels during an FEP, assessing their correlation with clinical and cognitive features. METHODS The oxytocin and prolactin in plasma was measured in 120 FEP patients and 106 healthy controls, all of whom were subjected to a clinical and neuropsychological assessment. Most patients were under antipsychotics. Statistical analyses aimed to identify factors associated with the FEP and to search for associations between the variables. This study is preliminary and exploratory because the P-values were not corrected for multiple comparisons. RESULTS FEP patients had less oxytocin, more prolactin, and a poor premorbid IQ, and they performed worse in sustained attention. Male patients with higher prolactin levels experienced more severe psychotic symptoms and required higher doses of antipsychotics. Low oxytocin was associated with poor sustained attention in women, whereas low oxytocin and high prolactin in men correlated with better performance in sustained attention. CONCLUSION Low oxytocin, high prolactin, and poor premorbid IQ and sustained attention are factors associated with an FEP, representing potential therapeutic targets in these patients. These biological factors and cognitive domains might play an important role during a FEP, which could help us to develop new strategies that improve the outcomes of this disorder and that should perhaps be gender specific.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cristina Romero-López-Alberca
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain,Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment Area, Department of Psychology, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Karina S MacDowell
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja García-Bueno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miquel Bioque
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPs), Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Bernardo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPs), Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mara Parellada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana González-Pinto
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario de Alava, BIOARABA, EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - María Paz García Portilla
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Antonio Lobo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Roberto Rodriguez-Jimenez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12)/Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- Correspondence: Esther Berrocoso, PhD, Neuropsychopharmacology Psychobiology Research Group, Psychobiology Area, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain ()
| | - Juan C Leza
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - CIBERSAM
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Szczepanska-Sadowska E, Wsol A, Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska A, Czarzasta K, Żera T. Multiple Aspects of Inappropriate Action of Renin-Angiotensin, Vasopressin, and Oxytocin Systems in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Clin Med 2022; 11:908. [PMID: 35207180 PMCID: PMC8877782 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11040908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiovascular system and the central nervous system (CNS) closely cooperate in the regulation of primary vital functions. The autonomic nervous system and several compounds known as cardiovascular factors, especially those targeting the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), the vasopressin system (VPS), and the oxytocin system (OTS), are also efficient modulators of several other processes in the CNS. The components of the RAS, VPS, and OTS, regulating pain, emotions, learning, memory, and other cognitive processes, are present in the neurons, glial cells, and blood vessels of the CNS. Increasing evidence shows that the combined function of the RAS, VPS, and OTS is altered in neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative diseases, and in particular in patients with depression, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, autism, and schizophrenia. The altered function of the RAS may also contribute to CNS disorders in COVID-19. In this review, we present evidence that there are multiple causes for altered combined function of the RAS, VPS, and OTS in psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, such as genetic predispositions and the engagement of the RAS, VAS, and OTS in the processes underlying emotions, memory, and cognition. The neuroactive pharmaceuticals interfering with the synthesis or the action of angiotensins, vasopressin, and oxytocin can improve or worsen the effectiveness of treatment for neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative diseases. Better knowledge of the multiple actions of the RAS, VPS, and OTS may facilitate programming the most efficient treatment for patients suffering from the comorbidity of neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Szczepanska-Sadowska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.); (A.C.-J.); (K.C.); (T.Ż.)
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16
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The Role of OXT, OXTR, AVP, and AVPR1a Gene Expression in the Course of Schizophrenia. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:336-349. [PMID: 35723404 PMCID: PMC8929099 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental illness, the symptoms of which usually appear for the first time in late adolescence or early adulthood. To date, much research has been conducted on the etiology of schizophrenia; however, it is still not fully understood. Oxytocin and vasopressin as neuromodulators that regulate social and emotional behavior are promising candidates for determining the vulnerability to schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of OXT, OXTR, AVP, and AVPR1a genes at the mRNA and protein levels in patients with schizophrenia. Due to the neurodegenerative nature of schizophrenia, the study group was divided into two subgroups, namely, G1 with a diagnosis that was made between 10 and 15 years after the onset of the illness, and G2 with a diagnosis made up to two years after the onset of the illness. Moreover, the relationship between the examined genes and the severity of schizophrenia symptoms, assessed using PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and CDSS scales (Clinical Depression Scale for Schizophrenia) was evaluated. The analysis of the expression of the studied genes at the mRNA and protein levels showed statistically significant differences in the expression of all the investigated genes. OXT and AVPR1a gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower in the schizophrenia group, and OXTR and AVP gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels was higher in the schizophrenia subjects than in the controls. Furthermore, a significant correlation of OXT gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels with the severity of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia as assessed by CDSS was found.
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17
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Wójciak P, Domowicz K, Zabłocka M, Michalak M, Rybakowski JK. Association of Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia Assessed by the BNSS and SNS Scales With Neuropsychological Performance: A Gender Effect. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:797386. [PMID: 35002812 PMCID: PMC8738094 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.797386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: The relationship between negative symptoms and neurocognitive performance in schizophrenia is well documented, but the mechanism of these connections remains unclear. The study aims to measure the relationship between the results on the new scales for the assessment of negative symptoms such as Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) and Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS), and the results of some neurocognition tests. The second aim is to assess a possible gender effect on these associations. Methods: The study included 80 patients (40 men, 40 women) with schizophrenia, aged 19-63 (mean 38 years), during the improvement period (total PANSS score <80, unchanged pharmacological treatment in the last 3 weeks). They were assessed using the BNSS, SNS, Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scales, and the tests for neuropsychological performance such as the Trail Making Test (TMT-A, TMT-B), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test, Verbal fluency tests (VFT), Category fluency test (CFT), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Results: Male patients obtained higher scores than females on some PANSS and BNSS items. No gender differences were observed for the SNS scale. Female patients scored better in the PSP and CFT. In male patients, a significant positive correlation between the intensity of negative symptoms measured by the BNSS and the results of PSP with the Trail Making Test was observed. In female patients, we found a positive correlation between the results of BNSS and PSP with the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test. Conclusion: The obtained results confirm the relationship between negative symptoms and neurocognition in schizophrenia patients. However, in male and female patients such association was observed for different cognitive domains. Further research is needed to explain the nature of these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Wójciak
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Klaudia Domowicz
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Zabłocka
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Michał Michalak
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Janusz K. Rybakowski
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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18
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Hernández-Díaz Y, González-Castro TB, Tovilla-Zárate CA, López-Narváez ML, Genis-Mendoza AD, Castillo-Avila RG, Ramos-Méndez MÁ, Juárez-Rojop IE. Oxytocin levels in individuals with schizophrenia are high in cerebrospinal fluid but low in serum: A systematic review and meta-analysis : Oxytocin and Schizophrenia. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:2415-2424. [PMID: 34495462 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00836-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental illness. Levels of oxytocin have been proposed as a biomarker of schizophrenia; however, the observed levels of oxytocin in individuals with schizophrenia have been inconsistent across studies. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate oxytocin levels in plasma, serum and cerebrospinal fluid to see if there are statistically different concentrations between individuals with schizophrenia and the comparison group. The meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The quality of the study was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A random-effects model was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software with the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Serum oxytocin levels in individuals with schizophrenia were significantly lower than that in comparison group (SMD = - 1.74, 95% CI = - 3.22 to - 0.26, p = 0.02) but cerebrospinal fluid oxytocin levels in individuals with schizophrenia were significantly higher than those in the comparison group (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.05 to 1.04, p = 0.03). Our results suggest that oxytocin levels in cerebrospinal fluid are increased in individuals with schizophrenia but decreased in serum. Therefore, the oxytocin system dysregulation may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and it should be measured in more populations for a possible implementation as a biomarker of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazmín Hernández-Díaz
- División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Jalpa de Méndez, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Jalpa de Méndez, Tabasco, México
| | - Thelma Beatriz González-Castro
- División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Jalpa de Méndez, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Jalpa de Méndez, Tabasco, México
| | - Carlos Alfonso Tovilla-Zárate
- División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Tabasco, México.
| | | | - Alma Delia Genis-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Genómica de Enfermedades Psiquiátricas y Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rosa Giannina Castillo-Avila
- División Académica de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
| | - Miguel Ángel Ramos-Méndez
- División Académica de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
| | - Isela Esther Juárez-Rojop
- División Académica de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
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19
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Fisher ER, Rocha NP, Morales-Scheihing DA, Venna VR, Furr-Stimming EE, Teixeira AL, Rossetti MA. The Relationship Between Plasma Oxytocin and Executive Functioning in Huntington's Disease: A Pilot Study. J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 10:349-354. [PMID: 34092650 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-210467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The role of oxytocin (OT) in social cognition of patients with Huntington's disease (HD) has been studied, but its impact on executive functioning has not been explored yet. Healthy controls, premanifest HD, and manifest HD participants underwent executive functioning assessment and OT plasma measurement. There were no significant group differences in plasma OT levels. Higher OT levels were associated with better executive functioning in premanifest HD participants. Our findings revealed an association between OT levels and depressive symptoms in premanifest and manifest HD participants. The potential role of OT in HD deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Fisher
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Natalia P Rocha
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Diego A Morales-Scheihing
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Venugopal Reddy Venna
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erin E Furr-Stimming
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Antonio L Teixeira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria A Rossetti
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
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20
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Nakata Y, Kanahara N, Kimura A, Niitsu T, Komatsu H, Oda Y, Nakamura M, Ishikawa M, Hasegawa T, Kamata Y, Yamauchi A, Inazumi K, Kimura H, Shiko Y, Kawasaki Y, Iyo M. Oxytocin system dysfunction in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: Alterations of blood oxytocin levels and effect of a genetic variant of OXTR. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 138:219-227. [PMID: 33866050 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.03.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) has a quite complex pathophysiology that includes not only severe positive symptoms but also other symptom domains. Much attention has been devoted to the overlapping psychological and biological profiles of schizophrenia and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). We compared TRS patients (n = 30) with schizophrenia patients in remission (RemSZ, n = 28) and ASD patients (n = 28), focusing on general cognitive and social cognitive impairment and oxytocin system dysfunction. Our analyses revealed that there was no difference in oxytocin concentration among the three groups. The TRS patients' oxytocin blood concentrations were positively correlated with their processing speed and theory-of-mind scores, whereas the RemSZ and ASD groups had no significant relation with any measures. Rs53576, a single nucleotide polymorphism on the oxytocin receptor gene, affected social cognition abilities in the schizophrenia group. Although the overall findings are preliminary, they indicate that oxytocin system dysfunction could be involved in the serious cognitive deficits in TRS patients. Further, these results suggest that patients with TRS might have early neurodevelopmental abnormalities based on their shared biological features with ASD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Nakata
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Kanahara
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Kimura
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tomihisa Niitsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hideki Komatsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasunori Oda
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Miwako Nakamura
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masatomo Ishikawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tadashi Hasegawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Palliative Care Center, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yu Kamata
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yamauchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Chiba Rosai Hospital, Ichihara, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Inazumi
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Gakuji-kai Kimura Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuki Shiko
- Biostatistics Section, Clinical Research Center, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yohei Kawasaki
- Biostatistics Section, Clinical Research Center, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaomi Iyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
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21
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Erikson DW, Blue SW, Kaucher AV, Shnitko TA. LC-MS/MS measurement of endogenous oxytocin in the posterior pituitary and CSF of macaques: A pilot study. Peptides 2021; 140:170544. [PMID: 33811949 PMCID: PMC8462972 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a nanopeptide released into systemic circulation via the posterior pituitary (peripheral) and into the central nervous system via widespread OTergic pathways (central). Central OT plays a significant role in variety of functions from social and executive cognition to immune regulation. Many ongoing studies explore its therapeutic potential for variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Measures of peripheral OT levels are most frequently used as an indicator of its concentration in the central nervous system in humans and animal models. In this study, LC-MS/MS was used to measure OT in pituitary samples collected from adult male macaque monkeys in order to explore the correlation between individual levels of OT in the CSF (central) and pituitary (peripheral). We quantified individual differences in the levels of OT in the pituitaries (44-151 ng/mg) and CSF (41-66 pg/mL) of these monkeys. A positive correlation between these two measures was identified. These preliminary results allow for future analyses to determine whether LC-MS/MS measures of peripheral OT can be used as markers of OT levels in the brain of nonhuman primates that serve as valuable models for many human neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- D W Erikson
- Endocrine Technologies Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006-3448, USA
| | - S W Blue
- Endocrine Technologies Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006-3448, USA
| | - A V Kaucher
- Endocrine Technologies Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006-3448, USA
| | - T A Shnitko
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006-3448, USA.
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22
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Oxytocin in Schizophrenia: Pathophysiology and Implications for Future Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042146. [PMID: 33670047 PMCID: PMC7926349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a form of mental disorder that is behaviorally characterized by abnormal behavior, such as social function deficits or other behaviors that are disconnected from reality. Dysregulation of oxytocin may play a role in regulating the expression of schizophrenia. Given oxytocin’s role in social cognition and behavior, a variety of studies have examined the potential clinical benefits of oxytocin in improving the psychopathology of patients with schizophrenia. In this review, we highlight the evidence for the role of endogenous oxytocin in schizophrenia, from animal models to human studies. We further discuss the potential of oxytocin as a therapeutic agent for schizophrenia and its implication in future treatment.
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23
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Bradley ER, Tai M, Hankin M, Woolley JD. Preliminary evidence that oxytocin does not improve mentalizing in women with schizophrenia. Horm Behav 2021; 128:104915. [PMID: 33340522 PMCID: PMC7854492 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mentalizing, the ability to infer other people's intentions and emotions, is commonly impaired in schizophrenia and may represent an endophenotype. The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin has been shown to improve mentalizing in men with schizophrenia, but its effects in women remain unclear. Given sex differences in the clinical manifestations of schizophrenia and oxytocin system function, this is an important gap to address. METHODS We tested the effects of a single-dose oxytocin challenge (40 IU) on mentalizing task performance among 26 women with schizophrenia and 38 healthy control women using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover design. We aimed to replicate our prior study of oxytocin effects on mentalizing in men with schizophrenia, using the same oxytocin administration procedures and performance-based assessments. We used mixed-effects models and equivalence testing as well as Bayesian hierarchical models to examine oxytocin effects. RESULTS In contrast to our previous finding in a male sample, oxytocin did not improve mentalizing in this sample of women with schizophrenia. Exploratory analyses showed that higher anti-dopaminergic medication dosage was associated with a decreased response to oxytocin, consistent with previous findings in men. CONCLUSION These findings provide preliminary evidence that exogenous oxytocin administration may have sex-specific effects on mentalizing in schizophrenia. Inclusion of women in future clinical studies with larger samples is critical, as oxytocin effects observed in men may not extend to women with the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen R Bradley
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America.
| | - Marlene Tai
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | | | - Joshua D Woolley
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
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24
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Bradley ER, Seitz A, Niles AN, Rankin KP, Mathalon DH, O'Donovan A, Woolley JD. Oxytocin increases eye gaze in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2019; 212:177-185. [PMID: 31416746 PMCID: PMC6791758 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal eye gaze is common in schizophrenia and linked to functional impairment. The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin modulates visual attention to social stimuli, but its effects on eye gaze in schizophrenia are unknown. We examined visual scanning of faces in men with schizophrenia and neurotypical controls to quantify oxytocin effects on eye gaze. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, 33 men with schizophrenia and 39 matched controls received one dose of intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) and placebo on separate testing days. Participants viewed 20 color photographs of faces while their gaze patterns were recorded. We tested for differences in fixation time on the eyes between patients and controls as well as oxytocin effects using linear mixed-effects models. We also tested whether attachment style, symptom severity, and anti-dopaminergic medication dosage moderated oxytocin effects. In the placebo condition, patients showed reduced fixation time on the eyes compared to controls. Oxytocin was associated with an increase in fixation time among patients, but a decrease among controls. Higher attachment anxiety and greater symptom severity predicted increased fixation time on the eyes on oxytocin versus placebo. Anti-dopaminergic medication dosage and attachment avoidance did not impact response to oxytocin. Consistent with findings that oxytocin optimizes processing of social stimuli, intranasal oxytocin enhanced eye gaze in men with schizophrenia. Further work is needed to determine whether changes in eye gaze impact social cognition and functional outcomes. Both attachment anxiety and symptom severity predicted oxytocin response, highlighting the importance of examining potential moderators of oxytocin effects in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen R Bradley
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America.
| | - Alison Seitz
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Andrea N Niles
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Daniel H Mathalon
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Aoife O'Donovan
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Joshua D Woolley
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America; San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
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25
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Ni P, Tian Y, Gu X, Yang L, Wei J, Wang Y, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Li L, Tang X, Ma X, Hu X, Li T. Plasma neuropeptides as circulating biomarkers of multifactorial schizophrenia. Compr Psychiatry 2019; 94:152114. [PMID: 31401216 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.152114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Promising biomarkers would be used to improve the determination of diagnosis and severity, as well as the prediction of symptomatic and functional outcomes of schizophrenia. BASIC PROCEDURES In this study, we used three different mouse models induced by a genetic factor (PV-Cre; ErbB4-/-, G group), an environmental stressor (adolescent social isolation, G group), and a combination of genetic factor and environmental stressor (PV-Cre; ErbB4-/- mice with isolation, G × E group). Attenuated PPI (%) confirmed the successful establishment of three schizophrenia-like mouse models. To evaluate whether neuropeptide levels in plasma would be potential biomarkers of different schizophrenia models in our work, we used MILLIPLEX® MAP method to simultaneously measure 6 critical neuropeptides in plasma. MAIN FINDINGS Among the evaluated neuropeptides, increased neurotensin tends to be associated with genetic factors of schizophrenia, increased orexin A seems to be a biomarker of an interplay between genetic and social isolation, while higher plasma oxytocin might be more apt to be responsive to social isolation. The potential biomarkers are mostly independent of sex. CONCLUSIONS This research would provide novel clues to develop circulating biomarkers of plasma neuropeptides for multifactorial schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyan Ni
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yang Tian
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiaochu Gu
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, Suzhou, PR China
| | - Linghui Yang
- The Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Jinxue Wei
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yingcheng Wang
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Liansheng Zhao
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yamin Zhang
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Chengcheng Zhang
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Liping Li
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiangdong Tang
- Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Sleep Medicine Center, Mental Health Center, and Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xun Hu
- Biobank, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Tao Li
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China.
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26
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Mutu Pek T, Yazici E, Guzel D, Kose E, Yazıcı AB, Erol A. The relationship between oxytocin, vasopressin and atrial natriuretic peptide levels and cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2019.1653149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tugba Mutu Pek
- Afyonkarahisar Dinar State Hospital Clinic of Psychiatry, Afyon, Turkey
| | - Esra Yazici
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Derya Guzel
- Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Elif Kose
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Bülent Yazıcı
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Atila Erol
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
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27
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Speck LG, Schöner J, Bermpohl F, Heinz A, Gallinat J, Majic T, Montag C. Endogenous oxytocin response to film scenes of attachment and loss is pronounced in schizophrenia. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2019; 14:109-117. [PMID: 30481342 PMCID: PMC6318471 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oxytocin (OXT) is critically involved in the regulation of attachment and interpersonal function. In this study, emotional children’s movies were used to stimulate OXT secretion in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, associations of OXT levels with measures of attachment style (Psychosis Attachment Measure), childhood adversity (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and symptom severity [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)] were considered. Methods In 35 patients with schizophrenia and 35 matched HCs, radioimmunoassay with sample extraction was used to determine OXT plasma levels before and after viewing of movie scenes portraying emotional bonding and loss and compared to a non-emotional condition. Results Statistical analysis indicated lower baseline OXT levels in female patients than in all other groups. OXT reactivity during emotional movies was significantly higher in patients when compared to HCs. OXT reactivity during the control movie related to PANSS `general psychopathology’. No significant associations appeared between baseline or induced OXT levels and other PANSS subscales, attachment style or childhood adversity in patients. Conclusions Our findings suggest differences of baseline OXT and a higher OXT reactivity toward strong emotional stimuli in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting a role of OXT as a gender- and context-dependent modulator of socio-emotional function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G Speck
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Schöner
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Bermpohl
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tomislav Majic
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Montag
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz, Berlin, Germany
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28
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González-Rodríguez A, Seeman MV. The association between hormones and antipsychotic use: a focus on postpartum and menopausal women. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2019; 9:2045125319859973. [PMID: 31321026 PMCID: PMC6610461 DOI: 10.1177/2045125319859973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During the postpartum and menopausal periods of women's lives, there is a well-established and significant drop of circulating estrogens. This may be the reason why both these periods are associated with an increased risk for onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders. Whether symptoms are mainly affective or mainly psychotic, these disorders are frequently treated with antipsychotic medications, which calls for an examination of the relationship between hormone replacement and antipsychotic agents at these time periods. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize what is known about the association of hormones and antipsychotics in the postnatal period and at menopause. In the review, we focus on estrogen and oxytocin hormones and include, for the most part, only papers published within the last 10 years. Both estradiol and oxytocin have at various times been implicated in the etiology of postpartum disorders, and estrogens, sometimes combined with progesterone, have been tested as potential treatments for these conditions. The role of estradiol as an adjunct to antipsychotics in the prevention of postpartum relapses is currently controversial. With respect to oxytocin, studies are lacking. Psychosis in menopausal and postmenopausal women has been successfully treated with estrogens and selective estrogen-receptor modulators, mainly raloxifene, in addition to antipsychotics. Some symptoms appear to respond better than others. No oxytocin study has specifically targeted postmenopausal women. Because of feedback mechanisms, there is a theoretical danger of therapy with exogenous hormones interfering with endogenous secretion and disturbing the balance among inter-related hormones. When used with antipsychotics, hormones may also affect the metabolism and, hence, the brain level of specific antipsychotics. This makes treatment with antipsychotics plus hormones complicated. Dose, timing and route of intervention may all prove critical to efficacy. While much remains unknown, this literature review indicates that, within standard dose ranges, the combination of hormones and antipsychotics for postnatal and menopausal women suffering severe mental distress can be beneficial, and is safe.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary V. Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto,
260 Heath Street West, Suite 605, Toronto, Ontario M5P 3L6, Canada
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29
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Strauss GP, Chapman HC, Keller WR, Koenig JI, Gold JM, Carpenter WT, Buchanan RW. Endogenous oxytocin levels are associated with impaired social cognition and neurocognition in schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2019; 112:38-43. [PMID: 30849617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Intranasal administration of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has yielded inconsistent effects on social cognition and general cognition in individuals with schizophrenia (SZ). Few studies have examined whether endogenous peripheral OT levels are also associated with social and general cognition in SZ. The current study examined whether plasma OT levels are associated with performance on a higher-order social cognition measure (i.e., a task that requires inferential processes and knowledge not directly presented in social stimuli), as well as domains of general cognition. Participants included 30 individuals with SZ and 21 demographically matched healthy controls (CN). The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery was administered to assess neuropsychological impairment in relation to 7 domains (processing speed, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning/problem solving, and social cognition). Plasma OT levels were measured via radioimmunoassay. SZ had significantly lower endogenous OT levels and poorer MCCB performance on all 7 domains than CN. In CN and SZ, lower endogenous OT was associated with poorer social cognition. In SZ, lower endogenous OT was also associated with poorer processing speed and working memory. The significant association between OT and social cognition in both CN and SZ highlights the importance of endogenous OT levels as a biological predictor of social cognition, irrespective of clinical status. Significant associations between plasma OT and general neurocognition may reflect either an anxiolytic effect of plasma OT that results in better neurocognitive performance, or OT's action on dopamine and enhancement of dopamine tone that results in improved cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - William R Keller
- Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, USA
| | - James I Koenig
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, USA
| | - James M Gold
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, USA
| | - William T Carpenter
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, USA
| | - Robert W Buchanan
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, USA
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Guercio GD, Thomas ME, Cisneros-Franco JM, Voss P, Panizzutti R, de Villers-Sidani E. Improving cognitive training for schizophrenia using neuroplasticity enhancers: Lessons from decades of basic and clinical research. Schizophr Res 2019; 207:80-92. [PMID: 29730045 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that schizophrenia is a disorder that stems from maladaptive plasticity within neural circuits and produces broad cognitive deficits leading to loss of autonomy. A large number of studies have identified abnormalities spanning many neurotransmitter systems in schizophrenia, and as a result, a variety of drugs have been developed to attempt to treat these abnormalities and enhance cognition. Unfortunately, positive results have been limited so far. This may be in part because the scope of abnormalities in the schizophrenic brain requires a treatment capable of engaging many different neurotransmitter systems. One approach to achieving this kind of treatment has been to use neuroplasticity-based computerized cognitive training programs to stimulate the formation of more adaptive circuits. Although the number of studies implementing this approach has increased exponentially in recent years, effect sizes for cognitive gains have been modest and adherence to treatment remains an important challenge in many studies, as patients are often required to train for 40 h or more. In the present paper, we argue that cognitive training protocols will benefit from the addition of cognitive enhancers to produce more robust and longer lasting targeted neuroplasticity. Indeed, recent data from animal studies have provided support for combining plasticity-enhancing drugs with tailored behavioral training paradigms to restore normal function within dysfunctioning neural circuits. The advantages and challenges of applying this approach to patients with schizophrenia will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D Guercio
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - M E Thomas
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - J M Cisneros-Franco
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - P Voss
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - R Panizzutti
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - E de Villers-Sidani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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31
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Engel S, Laufer S, Knaevelsrud C, Schumacher S. The endogenous oxytocin system in depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 101:138-149. [PMID: 30458371 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The oxytocin system is involved in psychological functions and interacts with biological systems that are altered in patients suffering from depressive disorders. This suggests a possible role of oxytocin in the development and maintenance of depression. We provide the first systematic review and meta-analysis that specifically addresses differences in basal endogenous oxytocin concentrations between patients with depressive disorders and healthy controls. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies that measured basal endogenous oxytocin concentrations in depressive patients and healthy controls. We included k = 13 studies (n = 368 patients and n = 346 healthy controls) in the qualitative review and k = 9 studies (n = 273 patients and n = 273 healthy controls) in the meta-analytic procedure. Standardized mean group differences were non-significant (g = -0.02, CI = [-0.41; 0.36]), indicating that depressive patients and healthy controls did not differ in basal endogenous oxytocin concentrations. The overall effect was heterogeneous. Effects within studies showing comparable risks of biases, as rated according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, were non-significant as well, but homogeneous. The findings suggest that more complex research designs and methodological approaches should be employed to detect and understand a possible role of the oxytocin system in depressive disorders. We provide recommendations for subsequent promising study designs, involving the consideration of illness phase, comorbidities and correlations with psychological functions or symptoms. We point out the strengths of reactivity designs and multidimensional measurement approaches and recommend to linking future research questions to theories of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinha Engel
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Laufer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sarah Schumacher
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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Luckhaus C, Juckel G, Hurlemann R. [Oxytocin in schizophrenia : Evidence for an etiological and therapeutic relevance of the social neuromodulator]. DER NERVENARZT 2019; 90:277-284. [PMID: 30215130 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-018-0615-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurobiological results from animal models as well as biochemical and genetic findings in patients indicate that the oxytocin (OT) system may be dysfunctional in schizophrenia. On this pathogenetic basis transnasally administered OT (tnOT) could be an innovative treatment option for schizophrenia. Experimental data from animal studies are also suggestive of a particular effectiveness in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. To date, clinical data on tnOT treatment of schizophrenia patients does not unequivocally support a general therapeutic effect on the psychopathology but suggests positive effects on higher integrated social cognitive performance, such as empathy and mentalization. In particular, tnOT augmentation of a social cognitive skills training resulted in a marked and lasting treatment effect; however, numerous person- and context-dependent variables can potentially moderate individual effects of OT and may even reverse effects in certain constellations. Most clinical studies so far have not systematically accounted and controlled for these factors with the probable result of larger variance of recorded treatment effects and lower likelihood of ascertaining positive effectiveness. Furthermore, there is still a gap of knowledge on dose response relations and central nervous system (CNS) permeation in man following tnOT administration. This review aims to give a concise overview on the evidence for the etiological relevance of the neurohormone OT and its treatment potential in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Luckhaus
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Präventivmedizin der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, LWL-Universitätsklinikum Bochum, Alexandrinenstr 1-3, 44791, Bochum, Deutschland.
| | - G Juckel
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Präventivmedizin der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, LWL-Universitätsklinikum Bochum, Alexandrinenstr 1-3, 44791, Bochum, Deutschland
| | - R Hurlemann
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53105, Bonn, Deutschland
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Fulford D, Treadway M, Woolley J. Social motivation in schizophrenia: The impact of oxytocin on vigor in the context of social and nonsocial reinforcement. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 127:116-128. [PMID: 29369669 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Experiential negative symptoms-including diminished motivation-have a profound impact on functional outcomes in schizophrenia. Animal research suggests that abnormalities in dopaminergic regulation can negatively impact effort exertion, a translational model that has been applied to individuals with schizophrenia. Paradigms that assess effort-based decision making, for example, suggest less likelihood of choosing high effort tasks that are high in probability of success, and this preference varies with negative symptoms and impaired functioning. Although asociality is another well-documented component of experiential negative symptoms, it is unclear whether diminished motivation for monetary reward extends to the social domain. To test this question, the authors designed the Social Vigor Task (SVT)-a measure of effort exertion in the context of live social encouragement. They further examined the effect of oxytocin, a neuropeptide implicated in social behavior, on vigor. Forty-two individuals with schizophrenia and 43 healthy controls completed the SVT twice: once after intranasal administration of saline placebo and again after oxytocin. Both groups showed similar increases in vigor in response to social encouragement, suggesting effort in the social context is spared in schizophrenia. Group differences in the effect of social encouragement on vigor varied by point-based reward rate and trial length. Oxytocin did not increase vigor during social encouragement in either group. Within the schizophrenia group, clinician-rated passive social withdrawal, but not active social avoidance, was negatively associated with vigor. Results suggest that people with schizophrenia show normative levels of effort in the context of social encouragement; low approach motivation, however, relates to lower effort. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fulford
- Departments of Occupational Therapy and Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University
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Liu Y, Tao H, Yang X, Huang K, Zhang X, Li C. Decreased Serum Oxytocin and Increased Homocysteine in First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:217. [PMID: 31024366 PMCID: PMC6469488 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a debilitating and heterogeneous disease. We hypothesized that the oxytocin (OXT) system, inflammation and one-carbon metabolism would have a link with SZ. In this study, serum OXT, OXT receptor (OXTR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels were measured in 52 first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and 41 healthy controls (HC) from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Meanwhile, the mRNA expressions of OXT and OXTR genes were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Serum OXT and OXTR levels were significantly lower in FES patients (518.96 ± 22.22 and 174.60 ± 17.11 pg/ml) than the HC group (711.58 ± 40.57 and 252.15 ± 20.62 pg/ml). Serum IL-6 and hsCRP levels showed no difference between the two groups (1.82 ± 0.30 vs. 1.69 ± 0.36 pg/ml, 0.66 (0.22, 1.07) vs. 0.31 (0.13, 0.91) mg/L), but serum Hcy levels were significantly higher in FES patients (20.18 ± 1.83 vs. 15.24 ± 0.82 μmol/ml). The FES patients (0.27 ± 0.02 and 0.20 ± 0.02) have relatively higher mRNA expressions of OXT and OXTR genes than the HC group (0.16 ± 0.01 and 0.14 ± 0.01). In summary, our results suggested the possible function of the OXT system and Hcy in the pathogenesis of SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya) and China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China.,Mental Health Institute of Central South University and Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Huai Tao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xiudeng Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya) and China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China.,Mental Health Institute of Central South University and Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Xianghui Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya) and China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China.,Mental Health Institute of Central South University and Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Cunyan Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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35
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Zanos P, Keyworth H, Georgiou P, Hambsch B, Otte DM, Kitchen I, Zimmer A, Bailey A. Chronic nicotine administration restores brain region specific upregulation of oxytocin receptor binding levels in a G72 mouse model of schizophrenia. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 50:2255-2263. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panos Zanos
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
- Department of Psychiatry School of Medicine University of Maryland Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Helen Keyworth
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
- Department of Psychiatry School of Medicine University of Maryland Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Boris Hambsch
- GKM Gesellschaft für Therapieforschung mbH Lessingstraße München Germany
| | - David M. Otte
- Institute for Molecular Psychiatry Medical Faculty University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Ian Kitchen
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
| | - Andreas Zimmer
- Institute for Molecular Psychiatry Medical Faculty University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey UK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education St George's University of London London SW17 0RE UK
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36
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Veras AB, Getz M, Froemke RC, Nardi AE, Alves GS, Walsh-Messinger J, Chao MV, Kranz TM, Malaspina D. Rare missense coding variants in oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in schizophrenia cases are associated with early trauma exposure, cognition and emotional processing. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 97:58-64. [PMID: 29190530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin is a peptide hormone that influences the integration of social cognition with behavior and affect regulation. Oxytocin also prominently directs the transition of neuronal GABA neurotransmission from excitatory to inhibitory after birth. The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is linked to schizophrenia, a heterogeneous syndrome. Relationships of OXTR polymorphisms with specific clinical features could aid in evaluating any role of oxytocin in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. METHOD Schizophrenia cases with rare missense coding OXTR single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified from a well-characterized sample of cases and controls who were assessed for symptoms, cognition and early life trauma. RESULTS Five of 48 cases showed rare OXTR variants. Compared to the other cases they had less severe negative symptoms (deficits in emotional expression and motivation) and less severe general psychopathology scores (depression and anxiety). They demonstrated lower nonverbal (performance) than verbal intelligence due to deficient perceptual organization and slow processing speed. They also reported greater early trauma exposure (physical and sexual abuse and emotional trauma). CONCLUSION Cases carrying rare OXTR SNVs had less negative and affective symptoms than other cases, but similar psychotic symptoms, along with specific cognitive deficits. The clinical characterization of these cases occurred in association with environmental exposure to early trauma, especially sexual abuse, which may have influenced the expression of schizophrenia in subjects harboring specific SNVs in the OXTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre B Veras
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Genetics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Translational Research Group on Mental Health (GPTranSMe), Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Laboratory of Panic and Respiration (LabPR-UFRJ), Psychiatry Institute of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB-UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Mara Getz
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert C Froemke
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Departments of Otolaryngology and Neuroscience/Physiology, New York University, NY, USA
| | - Antonio Egidio Nardi
- Laboratory of Panic and Respiration (LabPR-UFRJ), Psychiatry Institute of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB-UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Julie Walsh-Messinger
- Department of Psychology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Moses V Chao
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Departments of Cell Biology, Physiology & Neuroscience and Psychiatry, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thorsten M Kranz
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Departments of Otolaryngology and Neuroscience/Physiology, New York University, NY, USA; Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Departments of Cell Biology, Physiology & Neuroscience and Psychiatry, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dolores Malaspina
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Genetics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Jusiak K, Brudkowska Ż, Gołębiowska M, Morylowska-Topolska J, Gołębiowska B, Próchnicki M, Próchnicka A, Karakuła-Juchnowicz H. The role of oxytocin in the pathogenesis and treatment of schizophrenia. CURRENT PROBLEMS OF PSYCHIATRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/cpp-2017-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Until recently, oxytocin was mainly associated with the pathophysiology of childbirth and sexual functions, but lately this hormone has become the object of interest to psychiatry and psychology due to the significant influence of oxytocin on human behavior in the field of social and emotional functioning. Current scientific research focuses on the participation of oxytocin in the pathogenesis and therapy of mental disorders.
Aim: The aim of the paper is to present, on the basis of available literature, the significance of oxytocin for various psychological functions, with particular emphasis on the influence of oxytocin on the course and clinical picture of schizophrenia.
Method: Available articles from the Medline / PubMed database were analyzed, which were searched using keywords: oxytocin, schizophrenia, therapeutic use of oxytocin, social cognition, positive symptoms, negative symptoms and time descriptors: 2013-2017. There are included articles published in Polish and English.
Results:The research results carried out so far suggest that oxytocin plays a significant role in modulating complex socio-emotional behaviors in schizophrenic patients. The existing research results also indicate a relationship between the dysregulation of the oxytocinergic system and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Many of the studies prove that there is a relationship between the level of oxytocin in the patients' blood plasma and the severity of the disease symptoms. Recent genetic studies indicate a possible relationship between polymorphism of oxytocin genesand polymorphism of oxytocin receptor genes and the risk of developing schizophrenia.
Conclusions: Contemporary research on the therapeutic potential of oxytocin and its influence on the functioning of schizophrenia patients seem to be very promising and may contribute to increasing the effectiveness of treatment of schizophrenia and possibly other mental disorders, which in turn will improve the quality of life of patients in cognitive, social and emotional functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Jusiak
- I Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention , Medical University of Lublin
| | - Żaneta Brudkowska
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychiatry , Medical University of Lublin
| | - Maria Gołębiowska
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, III Chair of Pediatrics , Medical University of Lublin
| | | | - Beata Gołębiowska
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, III Chair of Pediatrics , Medical University of Lublin
| | - Michał Próchnicki
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychiatry , Medical University of Lublin
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Ota M, Yoshida S, Nakata M, Yada T, Kunugi H. The effects of adjunctive intranasal oxytocin in patients with schizophrenia. Postgrad Med 2017; 130:122-128. [PMID: 29105546 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2018.1398592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Both human and animal studies have suggested that oxytocin may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of schizophrenia. We evaluated the effects of intranasal oxytocin on cognition and its predictive factors in Japanese patients with schizophrenia. METHODS Subjects were 16 chronic schizophrenia patients who underwent intranasal oxytocin treatment for 3 months and were assessed for changes in severity of clinical symptoms and cognitions. Fifteen of the 16 subjects underwent 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Oxytocin significantly reduced scores on the positive and negative syndrome scale, especially on the negative symptoms. As for cognition, there was an improvement of the verbal fluency. Furthermore, the change of the negative score in positive and negative syndrome scale showed a negative correlation with the gray matter volumes of the right insula and left cingulate cortex. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that daily administration of intranasal oxytocin may be effective for ameliorating clinical symptoms and cognitive functions in chronic schizophrenia patients, and this improvement may be related to the gray matter volume of the right insula and left cingulate cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Ota
- a Department of Mental Disorder Research , National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry , Kodaira , Japan
| | - Sumiko Yoshida
- b Department of Psychiatry , National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry , Kodaira , Japan
| | - Masanori Nakata
- c Department of Physiology, Division of Integrative Physiology , Jichi Medical University , Shimotsuke , Japan
| | - Toshihiko Yada
- c Department of Physiology, Division of Integrative Physiology , Jichi Medical University , Shimotsuke , Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunugi
- a Department of Mental Disorder Research , National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry , Kodaira , Japan
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Bürkner PC, Williams DR, Simmons TC, Woolley JD. Intranasal Oxytocin May Improve High-Level Social Cognition in Schizophrenia, But Not Social Cognition or Neurocognition in General: A Multilevel Bayesian Meta-analysis. Schizophr Bull 2017; 43:1291-1303. [PMID: 28586471 PMCID: PMC5737621 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbx053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
While there is growing interest in the potential for intranasal oxytocin (IN-OT) to improve social cognition and neurocognition (ie, nonsocial cognition) in schizophrenia, the extant literature has been mixed. Here, we perform a Bayesian meta-analysis of the efficacy of IN-OT to improve areas of social and neurocognition in schizophrenia. A systematic search of original research publications identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of IN-OT as a treatment for social and neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia for inclusion. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and corresponding variances were used in multilevel Bayesian models to obtain meta-analytic effect-size estimates. Across a total of 12 studies (N = 273), IN-OT did not improve social cognition (SMD = 0.07, 95% credible interval [CI] = [-0.06, 0.17]) or neurocognition (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI = [-0.12, 0.34]). There was moderate between study heterogeneity for social cognition outcomes (τs= 0.12). Moderator analyses revealed that IN-OT had a significantly larger effect on high-level social cognition (ie, mentalizing and theory of mind) compared to low-level social cognition (ie, social cue perception) (b = 0.19, 95% CI = [0.05, 0.33]). When restricting our analysis to outcomes for high-level social cognition, there was a significant effect of IN-OT (SMD = 0.20, 95 % CI = [0.05, 0.33]) but the effect was not robust to sensitivity analyses. The present analysis indicates that IN-OT may have selective effects on high-level social cognition, which provides a more focused target for future studies of IN-OT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Donald R Williams
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Trenton C Simmons
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Josh D Woolley
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
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40
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Yang X, Tang Y, Wei Q, Lang B, Tao H, Zhang X, Liu Y, Tang A. Up-regulated expression of oxytocin mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes from first-episode schizophrenia patients. Oncotarget 2017; 8:78882-78889. [PMID: 29108272 PMCID: PMC5668005 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with significant social cognition impairment. Increasing evidence has suggested that neuropeptides oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are important mediators of complex social cognition and behavior associates with SZ. In the present study, forty-three first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and forty-seven healthy controls (HC) were included. The peripheral mRNA expression of OXT, OXT receptor (OXTR), AVP, AVP 1a receptor (AVPR1a) and CD38 was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The FES patients have a relatively higher mRNA level of OXT and OXTR genes and lower expression of AVP and CD38 genes than HC. No difference was found for AVPR1a between FES patients and HC. As for the sex difference, the mRNA expression of OXT and OXTR showed no difference in both male and female FES patients compared to HC group. The AVP and CD38 genes in female FES patients showed decreased mRNA expression than female HC. Our findings support disrupted OXT and AVP systems in the FES patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiudeng Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yamei Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Qinling Wei
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, China
| | - Bing Lang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China, Mental Health Institute of Central South University & Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China, China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya) & China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, China
| | - Huai Tao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, China
| | - Xianghui Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China, Mental Health Institute of Central South University & Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China, China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya) & China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China, Mental Health Institute of Central South University & Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China, China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya) & China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, China
| | - Aiguo Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
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Stohn JP, Martinez ME, Zafer M, López-Espíndola D, Keyes LM, Hernandez A. Increased aggression and lack of maternal behavior in Dio3-deficient mice are associated with abnormalities in oxytocin and vasopressin systems. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:23-35. [PMID: 28715127 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones regulate many aspects of brain development and function, and alterations in the levels of thyroid hormone action lead to abnormal anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. A complement of factors in the brain function independently of circulating levels of hormone to strictly controlled local thyroid hormone signaling. A critical factor is the type 3 deiodinase (DIO3), which is located in neurons and protects the brain from excessive thyroid hormone. Here, we examined whether a local increase in brain thyroid hormone action secondary to DIO3 deficiency is of consequence for social behaviors. Although we did not observe alterations in sociability, Dio3-/- mice of both sexes exhibited a significant increase in aggression-related behaviors and mild deficits in olfactory function. In addition, 85% of Dio3-/- dams manifested no pup-retrieval behavior and increased aggression toward the newborns. The abnormal social behaviors of Dio3-/- mice were associated with sexually dimorphic alterations in the physiology of oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), 2 neuropeptides with important roles in determining social interactions. These alterations included low adult serum levels of OXT and AVP, and an abnormal expression of Oxt, Avp and their receptors in the neonatal and adult hypothalamus. Our results demonstrate that DIO3 is essential for normal aggression and maternal behaviors, and indicate that abnormal local regulation of thyroid hormone action in the brain may contribute to the social deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Stohn
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME, USA
| | - M E Martinez
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME, USA
| | - M Zafer
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - D López-Espíndola
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME, USA
| | - L M Keyes
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - A Hernandez
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Scarborough, ME, USA
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42
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Oxytocin effects in schizophrenia: Reconciling mixed findings and moving forward. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 80:36-56. [PMID: 28506922 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that causes major functional impairment. Current pharmacologic treatments are inadequate, particularly for addressing negative and cognitive symptoms of the disorder. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide known to moderate social behaviors, has been investigated as a potential therapeutic for schizophrenia in recent years. Results have been decidedly mixed, leading to controversy regarding oxytocin's utility. In this review, we outline several considerations for interpreting the extant literature and propose a focused agenda for future work that builds on the most compelling findings regarding oxytocin effects in schizophrenia to date. Specifically, we examine underlying causes of heterogeneity in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) conducted thus far and highlight the complexity of the human oxytocin system. We then review evidence of oxytocin's effects on specific deficits in schizophrenia, arguing for further study using objective, precise outcome measures in order to determine whether oxytocin has the potential to improve functional impairment in schizophrenia.
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43
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Immune and Neuroendocrine Mechanisms of Stress Vulnerability and Resilience. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:62-80. [PMID: 27291462 PMCID: PMC5143517 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Diagnostic criteria for mood disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD) largely ignore biological factors in favor of behavioral symptoms. Compounding this paucity of psychiatric biomarkers is a need for therapeutics to adequately treat the 30-50% of MDD patients who are unresponsive to traditional antidepressant medications. Interestingly, MDD is highly prevalent in patients suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, and MDD patients exhibit higher levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. Together, these clinical findings suggest a role for the immune system in vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric illness. A growing body of literature also implicates the immune system in stress resilience and coping. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which peripheral and central immune cells act on the brain to affect stress-related neurobiological and neuroendocrine responses. We specifically focus on the roles of pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling, peripheral monocyte infiltration, microglial activation, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity in stress vulnerability. We also highlight recent evidence suggesting that adaptive immune responses and treatment with immune modulators (exogenous glucocorticoids, humanized antibodies against cytokines) may decrease depressive symptoms and thus represent an attractive alternative to the current antidepressant treatments.
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Padurariu M, Prepelita R, Ciobica A, Dobrin R, Timofte D, Stefanescu C, Chirita R. Concept of Suicide: Neurophysiological/Genetic Theories and Possible Oxytocin Relevance. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-016-9603-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Rutigliano G, Rocchetti M, Paloyelis Y, Gilleen J, Sardella A, Cappucciati M, Palombini E, Dell'Osso L, Caverzasi E, Politi P, McGuire P, Fusar-Poli P. Peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin: Biomarkers of psychiatric disorders? A comprehensive systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 2016; 241:207-20. [PMID: 27183106 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.04.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A large array of studies have investigated peripheral oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (ADH) as potential biomarkers of psychiatric disorders, with highly conflicting and heterogenous findings. We searched Web of KnowledgeSM and Scopus® for English original articles investigating OT and/or ADH levels in different biological fluids (plasma/serum, saliva, urine and cerebrospinal fluid) across several psychiatric disorders. Sixty-four studies were included. We conducted 19 preliminary meta-analyses addressing OT alterations in plasma/serum, saliva, urine and cerebrospinal fluid of 7 psychiatric disorders and ADH alterations in plasma/serum, saliva, urine and cerebrospinal fluid of 6 psychiatric disorders compared to controls. Hedge's g was used as effect size measure, together with heterogeneity analyses, test of publication biases and quality control. None of them (except serum OT in anorexia nervosa) revealed significant differences. There is no convincing evidence that peripheral ADH or OT might be reliable biomarkers in psychiatric disorders. However, the lack of significant results was associated with high methodological heterogeneity, low quality of the studies, small sample size, and scarce reliability of the methods used in previous studies, which need to be validated and standardized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Rutigliano
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO63, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Rocchetti
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO63, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Yannis Paloyelis
- Neuroimaging Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO89, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK
| | - James Gilleen
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO63, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK; Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, UK
| | - Alberto Sardella
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO63, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK
| | - Marco Cappucciati
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO63, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Erika Palombini
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO63, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell'Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Edgardo Caverzasi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Politi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO63, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, PO63, De Crespigny Park, SE58AF London, UK; OASIS clinic, SLaM NHS Foundation Trust, 190 Kennington Lane, SE11 5DL London, UK.
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Crider A, Pillai A. The Neurobiological Basis for Social Affiliation in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2016; 3:154-164. [DOI: 10.1007/s40473-016-0079-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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47
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Lee MR, Wehring HJ, McMahon RP, Liu F, Linthicum J, Verbalis JG, Buchanan RW, Strauss GP, Rubin LH, Kelly DL. Relationship of plasma oxytocin levels to baseline symptoms and symptom changes during three weeks of daily oxytocin administration in people with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2016; 172:165-8. [PMID: 26879587 PMCID: PMC4821731 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Several clinical studies have found an inverse relationship between clinical symptoms and peripheral oxytocin (OT) levels in people with schizophrenia. As oxytocin is a putative treatment for schizophrenia, the effect of repeated dosing of OT on OT levels, clinical symptoms and the relationship between the two is of interest. In a, randomized, double blind, parallel group 3 week study (N=28) with daily administration of intranasal OT (20 IU twice daily) or placebo (PBO), we examined the effect of OT administration on the correlation between the change in peripheral OT levels and change in clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. At baseline, there were no significant treatment group differences in OT levels. There were no significant associations between baseline OT levels and any symptom measures. After 3 weeks of OT/PBO dosing, there was no significant difference in the magnitude of change in OT levels between the two treatment groups. Correlations between changes in peripheral OT levels and changes in the BPRS total and negative symptom scores were not different between treatment groups. Larger studies are needed to examine the effect of exogenous OT on peripheral OT levels and the relationship between the latter and clinical symptoms. Clinical Trials.gov=NCT00884897.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R. Lee
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, Bethesda, MD,Corresponding author: , National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1108
| | - Heidi J. Wehring
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - Robert P. McMahon
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - Fang Liu
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - Jared Linthicum
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - Joseph G. Verbalis
- Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Georgetown University Medical Center
| | - Robert W. Buchanan
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - Gregory P. Strauss
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY
| | - Leah H. Rubin
- Women’s Mental Health Research Program, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Deanna L. Kelly
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine
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Abstract
Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous, debilitating disorder characterized by three distinct sets of clinical features: positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive deficits. Extant antipsychotic drugs have been most successful at treating the positive symptoms of patients with schizophrenia but have minimal therapeutic effects on negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, which are the symptoms that best predict the poor prognosis of these patients. Therefore, there has been a major effort towards identifying compounds that alleviate these symptoms. Oxytocin (OT) is a nonapeptide that regulates peripheral reproductive-relevant functions, and also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Converging evidence from both preclinical and clinical research suggests that OT may have therapeutic efficacy for the positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. In the majority of the small, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted to date, OT has shown particular promise in its potential to treat the intractable negative symptoms and social cognitive deficits exhibited by most of the patients with this debilitating disorder. In this leading article, we summarize the clinical evidence relevant to (1) endogenous OT and schizophrenia, and (2) the putative therapeutic effects of OT on each of the three clinical domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Shilling
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - David Feifel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92103-8218, USA.
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Romano A, Tempesta B, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Gaetani S. From Autism to Eating Disorders and More: The Role of Oxytocin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Neurosci 2016; 9:497. [PMID: 26793046 PMCID: PMC4709851 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (oxy) is a pituitary neuropeptide hormone synthesized from the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei within the hypothalamus. Like other neuropeptides, oxy can modulate a wide range of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator activities. Additionally, through the neurohypophysis, oxy is secreted into the systemic circulation to act as a hormone, thereby influencing several body functions. Oxy plays a pivotal role in parturition, milk let-down and maternal behavior and has been demonstrated to be important in the formation of pair bonding between mother and infants as well as in mating pairs. Furthermore, oxy has been proven to play a key role in the regulation of several behaviors associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, including social interactions, social memory response to social stimuli, decision-making in the context of social interactions, feeding behavior, emotional reactivity, etc. An increasing body of evidence suggests that deregulations of the oxytocinergic system might be involved in the pathophysiology of certain neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, eating disorders, schizophrenia, mood, and anxiety disorders. The potential use of oxy in these mental health disorders is attracting growing interest since numerous beneficial properties are ascribed to this neuropeptide. The present manuscript will review the existing findings on the role played by oxy in a variety of distinct physiological and behavioral functions (Figure 1) and on its role and impact in different psychiatric disorders. The aim of this review is to highlight the need of further investigations on this target that might contribute to the development of novel more efficacious therapies.
Oxytocin regulatory control of different and complex processes. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Tempesta
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | | | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
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50
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Lodovighi MA, Palomba A, Belzeaux R, Adida M, Azorin JM. Symptômes négatifs de la schizophrénie : nouvelles approches pharmacologiques. Encephale 2015; 41:6S41-9. [DOI: 10.1016/s0013-7006(16)30010-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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