Oxytocin, Neural Plasticity, and Social Behavior

Annual Review of Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 44(1), P. 359 - 381

Published: April 7, 2021

Oxytocin regulates parturition, lactation, parental nurturing, and many other social behaviors in both sexes. The circuit mechanisms by which oxytocin modulates behavior are receiving increasing attention. Here, we review recent studies on modulation of neural function behavior, largely enabled new methods monitoring manipulating or receptor neurons vivo. These indicate that can enhance the salience stimuli increase signal-to-noise ratios modulating spiking synaptic plasticity context circuits networks. We highlight effects nontraditional organisms such as prairie voles discuss opportunities to utility these for studying circuit-level behaviors. then insights into neuron activity during interactions. conclude discussing some major questions field ahead.

Language: Английский

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Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Social Behavior: From Neural Circuits to Clinical Opportunities

Endocrinology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 163(9)

Published: July 21, 2022

Oxytocin and vasopressin are peptide hormones secreted from the pituitary that well known for their peripheral endocrine effects on childbirth/nursing blood pressure/urine concentration, respectively. However, both peptides also released in brain, where they modulate several aspects of social behaviors. promotes maternal nurturing bonding, enhances reward, increases salience stimuli. Vasopressin modulates communication, investigation, territorial behavior, aggression, predominantly males. Both facilitate memory pair bonding behaviors monogamous species. Here we review latest research delineating neural circuitry brain oxytocin systems summarize recent investigations into circuit-based mechanisms modulating We highlight using modern molecular genetic technologies to map, monitor activity of, or manipulate neuropeptide circuits. Species diversity discussed. conclude with a discussion translational implications improving functioning disorders impairments, such as autism spectrum disorder.

Language: Английский

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Oxytocin receptors are widely distributed in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) brain: Relation to social behavior, genetic polymorphisms, and the dopamine system

The Journal of Comparative Neurology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 530(16), P. 2881 - 2900

Published: June 28, 2022

Oxytocin regulates social behavior via direct modulation of neurons, regulation neural network activity, and interaction with other neurotransmitter systems. The behavioral effects oxytocin signaling are determined by the species-specific distribution brain receptors. socially monogamous prairie vole has been a useful model organism for elucidating role in behaviors, including pair bonding, response to loss, consoling. However, there no comprehensive mapping receptor-expressing cells throughout brain. Here, we employed highly sensitive situ hybridization, RNAscope, construct an exhaustive, brain-wide map receptor mRNA-expressing cells. We found that mRNA expression was widespread diffused brain, specific areas displaying particularly robust expression. Comparing binding revealed regions hippocampus substantia nigra contained protein but lacked mRNA, indicating receptors can be transported distal neuronal processes, consistent presynaptic functions. In nucleus accumbens, region involved oxytocin-dependent detected both D1 D2 dopamine subtypes Furthermore, natural genetic polymorphisms robustly influenced cell types accumbens. Collectively, our findings further elucidate extent which is capable influencing responses stimuli, behavior. KEY POINTS: diffusely expressed strong concentrated certain localization misaligned some areas, may processes. on expressing subtypes, majority variation between animals attributable gene.

Language: Английский

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Social experience alters oxytocinergic modulation in the nucleus accumbens of female prairie voles

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(5), P. 1026 - 1037.e4

Published: Feb. 1, 2022

Language: Английский

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The live biotherapeutic Blautia stercoris MRx0006 attenuates social deficits, repetitive behaviour, and anxiety-like behaviour in a mouse model relevant to autism

Brain Behavior and Immunity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 106, P. 115 - 126

Published: Aug. 19, 2022

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental characterised by deficits in social behaviour, increased repetitive anxiety and gastrointestinal symptoms. The aetiology of ASD complex involves an interplay genetic environmental factors. Emerging pre-clinical clinical studies have documented potential role for the gut microbiome ASD, consequently, microbiota represents target development novel therapeutics this disorder. In study, we investigate efficacy live biotherapeutic strain, Blautia stercoris MRx0006, attenuating some behavioural autism-relevant, mouse model, BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR). We demonstrate that daily oral administration with MRx0006 attenuates while also decreasing anxiety-like behaviour. increases gene expression oxytocin its receptor hypothalamic cells vitro arginine vasopressin mRNA mice. Additionally at level, observed decreases abundance Alistipes putredinis, modulates faecal microbial metabolite profile. This alteration profile possibly underlies increase oxytocin, receptors, consequent improvements outcomes. Taken together, these findings suggest may represent viable efficacious treatment option management physiological associated ASD.

Language: Английский

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Investigation of Oxtr-expressing Neurons Projecting to Nucleus Accumbens using Oxtr-ires-Cre Knock-in prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 448, P. 312 - 324

Published: Oct. 19, 2020

Language: Английский

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Molecular and cellular mechanisms of the first social relationship: A conserved role of 5-HT from mice to monkeys, upstream of oxytocin

Neuron, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 111(9), P. 1468 - 1485.e7

Published: March 2, 2023

Language: Английский

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Sex diversity in the 21st century: Concepts, frameworks, and approaches for the future of neuroendocrinology

Hormones and Behavior, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 157, P. 105445 - 105445

Published: Nov. 17, 2023

Sex is ubiquitous and variable throughout the animal kingdom. Historically, scientists have used reductionist methodologies that rely on a priori sex categorizations, in which two discrete sexes are inextricably linked with gamete type. However, this binarized operationalization does not adequately reflect diversity of observed nature. This due, part, to fact exists across many levels biological analysis, including genetic, molecular, cellular, morphological, behavioral, population levels. Furthermore, mechanisms governing embedded complex networks dynamically interact other systems. To produce most accurate scientifically rigorous work examining neuroendocrinology capture full range variability present systems, we must critically assess frameworks, experimental designs, analytical methods our research. In perspective piece, first propose new conceptual framework guide integrative study sex. Then, provide practical guidance research approaches for studying sex-associated variables, factors consider design, selection model organisms, methodologies, statistical analyses. We invite fellow conscientiously apply these modernized advance understanding encourage academically socially responsible outcomes work. By expanding frameworks methodological sex, will gain insight into unique ways organization vast array

Language: Английский

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Paraventricular Nucleus Oxytocin Subsystems Promote Active Paternal Behaviors in Mandarin Voles

Journal of Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 41(31), P. 6699 - 6713

Published: July 5, 2021

Paternal care plays a critical role in the development of brain and behaviors offspring monogamous species. However, neurobiological mechanisms, especially neuronal circuity, underlying paternal is largely unknown. Using socially male mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus) with high levels care, we found that paraventricular nucleus hypothalamus (PVN) to ventral tegmental area (VTA) or accumbens (NAc) oxytocin (OT) neurons are activated during care. Chemogenetic activation/inhibition PVN OT projection VTA promoted/decreased respectively. inhibition pathway reduced dopamine (DA) release NAc licking grooming pups as revealed by in vivo fiber photometry. Optogenetic DA possibly enhanced/suppressed behaviors, Furthermore, chemogenetic circuit enhanced/inhibited This finding first step toward delineating circuity may have implications for treating abnormalities associated postpartum depression abuse. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT behavior essential survival some mammalian mechanisms poorly understood. We show manipulation projections well promote behaviors. Inhibition reduces pup grooming. also Our findings identify two new neural circuits modulate

Language: Английский

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Helping behavior in prairie voles: A model of empathy and the importance of oxytocin

iScience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(4), P. 103991 - 103991

Published: Feb. 26, 2022

Several studies suggest that rodents show empathic responses and helping behavior toward others. We examined whether prairie voles would help conspecifics who were soaked in water by opening a door to safe area. Door-opening latency decreased as task sessions progressed. Female male stayed close the voles' side at equal rates opened with similar latencies. When conspecific was not water, door-opening did decrease. This suggests distress of is necessary for learning open performed corresponds behavior. Additionally, we which oxytocin receptors genetically knocked out. Oxytocin receptor knockout demonstrated less interest conspecifics. important emergence

Language: Английский

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