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Moskalenko AM, Ikrin AN, Kozlova AV, Mukhamadeev RR, de Abreu MS, Riga V, Kolesnikova TO, Kalueff AV. Decoding molecular bases of rodent social hetero-grooming behavior using in silico analyses and bioinformatics tools. Neuroscience 2024:S0306-4522(24)00259-8. [PMID: 38876356 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.06.004] [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: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Highly prevalent in laboratory rodents, 'social' hetero-grooming behavior is translationally relevant to modeling a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we comprehensively evaluated known mouse genes linked to aberrant hetero-grooming phenotype and applied bioinformatics tools to construct a network of their established protein-protein interactions (PPI). We next identified several distinct molecular clusters within this network, including neuronal differentiation, cytoskeletal, WNT-signaling and synapsins-associated pathways. Using additional bioinformatics analyses, we further identified 'central' (hub) proteins within these molecular clusters, likely key for mouse hetero-grooming behavior. Overall, a more comprehensive characterization of intricate molecular pathways linked to aberrant rodent grooming may markedly advance our understanding of underlying cellular mechanisms and related neurological disorders, eventually helping discover novel targets for their pharmacological or gene therapy interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia M Moskalenko
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genetic Technologies, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Aleksey N Ikrin
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genetic Technologies, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Alena V Kozlova
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genetic Technologies, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Radmir R Mukhamadeev
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics and Genomics, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Vyacheslav Riga
- Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Tatiana O Kolesnikova
- Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia.
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2
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Marazziti D, Baroni S, Mucci F, Palego L, Arone A, Betti L, Palermo S, Giannaccini G, Carbone MG, Dell’Osso L. Relationship between BDNF and oxytocin. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2023; 16:100207. [PMID: 37868112 PMCID: PMC10585630 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Converging, albeit scattered data mainly gathered in animals indicate that the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) interact in a cooperative way. Data in humans are really limited and indirect. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the possible existence of a link between OT and BDNF in humans, by means of two peripheral markers, the platelet-poor-plasmatic-BDNF (PPP-BDNF) and the platelet BDNF (PLT-BDNF) and OT levels. Twenty-six young healthy controls of both sexes who volunteered for the study were included in the study. Fifty ml of peripheral venous blood were drawn from one-night fasting subjects between 8.00 and 9.00 a.m. The BDNF and OT assays were carried out according to common methods. Comparisons for continuous variables were performed by the Student's t-test for variables that follow a normal distribution, and by the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test for variables not normally distributed. The correlations between biological markers were explored by calculating the Pearson's correlation coefficient or Spearman's rank correlation. The results showed that PLT-BDNF (pg/mg proteins, mean ± SD) and PPP-BDNF (pg/ml, mean ± SD) were 1546 ± 1844 and 10111 ± 1892, respectively. The OT levels (pg/ml, mean ± SD) were 13.92 ± 4.54. The OT levels were significantly higher in women than in men. The Spearman's analysis revealed a statistically significant and negative correlation between OT levels and PLT-BDNF (R = -0.543, p = 0.004). The findings of this study highlight the presence of a significant and negative correlation between OT and PLT-BDNF in a small group of healthy controls of both sexes. In any case, despite all the limits of peripheral biomarkers, they suggest that this reciprocal influence might have a downstream homeostatic function dampening one activity when the other is activated or no longer necessary, maybe at the level of the stress and/or immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences – UniCamillus, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Baroni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Mucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Lionella Palego
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Arone
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Betti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Palermo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Manuel Glauco Carbone
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Division of Psychiatry, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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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Mitre M, Saadipour K, Williams K, Khatri L, Froemke RC, Chao MV. Transactivation of TrkB Receptors by Oxytocin and Its G Protein-Coupled Receptor. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:891537. [PMID: 35721318 PMCID: PMC9201241 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.891537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) binds to the TrkB tyrosine kinase receptor, which dictates the sensitivity of neurons to BDNF. A unique feature of TrkB is the ability to be activated by small molecules in a process called transactivation. Here we report that the brain neuropeptide oxytocin increases BDNF TrkB activity in primary cortical neurons and in the mammalian neocortex during postnatal development. Oxytocin produces its effects through a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), however, the receptor signaling events that account for its actions have not been fully defined. We find oxytocin rapidly transactivates TrkB receptors in bath application of acute brain slices of 2-week-old mice and in primary cortical culture by increasing TrkB receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. The effects of oxytocin signaling could be distinguished from the related vasopressin receptor. The transactivation of TrkB receptors by oxytocin enhances the clustering of gephyrin, a scaffold protein responsible to coordinate inhibitory responses. Because oxytocin displays pro-social functions in maternal care, cognition, and social attachment, it is currently a focus of therapeutic strategies in autism spectrum disorders. Interestingly, oxytocin and BDNF are both implicated in the pathophysiology of depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and cognition. These results imply that oxytocin may rely upon crosstalk with BDNF signaling to facilitate its actions through receptor transactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela Mitre
- Departments of Cell Biology, Neuroscience & Physiology, and Psychiatry, Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology, Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Khalil Saadipour
- Departments of Cell Biology, Neuroscience & Physiology, and Psychiatry, Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kevin Williams
- Departments of Biology and Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Latika Khatri
- Departments of Cell Biology, Neuroscience & Physiology, and Psychiatry, Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert C. Froemke
- Departments of Cell Biology, Neuroscience & Physiology, and Psychiatry, Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Moses V. Chao
- Departments of Cell Biology, Neuroscience & Physiology, and Psychiatry, Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Departments of Cell Biology, Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Moses V. Chao
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5
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Fuentes I, Morishita Y, Gonzalez-Salinas S, Champagne FA, Uchida S, Shumyatsky GP. Experience-Regulated Neuronal Signaling in Maternal Behavior. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:844295. [PMID: 35401110 PMCID: PMC8987921 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.844295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal behavior is shaped and challenged by the changing developmental needs of offspring and a broad range of environmental factors, with evidence indicating that the maternal brain exhibits a high degree of plasticity. This plasticity is displayed within cellular and molecular systems, including both intra- and intercellular signaling processes as well as transcriptional profiles. This experience-associated plasticity may have significant overlap with the mechanisms controlling memory processes, in particular those that are activity-dependent. While a significant body of work has identified various molecules and intracellular processes regulating maternal care, the role of activity- and experience-dependent processes remains unclear. We discuss recent progress in studying activity-dependent changes occurring at the synapse, in the nucleus, and during the transport between these two structures in relation to maternal behavior. Several pre- and postsynaptic molecules as well as transcription factors have been found to be critical in these processes. This role reflects the principal importance of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory formation to maternal and other behavioral adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Fuentes
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | | | | | - Frances A. Champagne
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Shusaku Uchida
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Gleb P. Shumyatsky
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
- *Correspondence: Gleb P. Shumyatsky
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6
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Lee YJ, Lin HT, Chaudhary MA, Lee YC, Wang DC. Effects of Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Childhood Exercise on Maternal Behaviors in Female Rats at Postpartum: A Role of Oxtr Methylation in the Hypothalamus. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9847. [PMID: 34576011 PMCID: PMC8465903 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the detrimental effect of prenatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and the beneficial effects of physical exercise on brain functions have been reported. The oxytocin pathway has been implicated in the onset of maternal behaviors. Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) through DNA methylation has been associated with the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal DEHP exposure on oxytocin-regulated maternal behaviors and to examine the protective effect of exercise. Pregnant rats (F0) were fed with vehicle or DEHP during gestation and the offspring females (F1) were assessed for their maternal behaviors by pup retrieval test at postpartum. The results showed that reduced pup retrieval activities without significant alteration of stress responses were observed in the prenatally DEHP-exposed females. Prenatal DEHP exposure decreased the expressions of oxytocin, Oxtr mRNA, and oxytocin receptor, and increased Oxtr methylation in the hypothalamus of postpartum female rats. There were no significant effects of exercise on behavioral, biochemical, and epigenetic measurements. These results suggest that prenatal DEHP exposure has a long-term adverse effect on maternal behaviors; Oxtr hyper-methylation may be a potential epigenetic mechanism for this alteration, which cannot be prevented by physical exercise during childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ju Lee
- Department of Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (Y.-J.L.); (H.-T.L.)
| | - Hwai-Ting Lin
- Department of Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (Y.-J.L.); (H.-T.L.)
- Ph. D. Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Muhammad Asad Chaudhary
- Ph. D. Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Ching Lee
- Department of Food and Beverage Services, Tainan University of Technology, Tainan 710302, Taiwan;
| | - Dean-Chuan Wang
- Department of Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (Y.-J.L.); (H.-T.L.)
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
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7
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Richter-Levin G, Sandi C. Title: "Labels Matter: Is it stress or is it Trauma?". Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:385. [PMID: 34247187 PMCID: PMC8272714 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01514-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In neuroscience, the term 'Stress' has a negative connotation because of its potential to trigger or exacerbate psychopathologies. Yet in the face of exposure to stress, the more common reaction to stress is resilience, indicating that resilience is the rule and stress-related pathology the exception. This is critical because neural mechanisms associated with stress-related psychopathology are expected to differ significantly from those associated with resilience.Research labels and terminology affect research directions, conclusions drawn from the results, and the way we think about a topic, while choice of labels is often influenced by biases and hidden assumptions. It is therefore important to adopt a terminology that differentiates between stress conditions, leading to different outcomes.Here, we propose to conceptually associate the term 'stress'/'stressful experience' with 'stress resilience', while restricting the use of the term 'trauma' only in reference to exposures that lead to pathology. We acknowledge that there are as yet no ideal ways for addressing the murkiness of the border between stressful and traumatic experiences. Yet ignoring these differences hampers our ability to elucidate the mechanisms of trauma-related pathologies on the one hand, and of stress resilience on the other. Accordingly, we discuss how to translate such conceptual terminology into research practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Richter-Levin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
- Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Harvey AR. Links Between the Neurobiology of Oxytocin and Human Musicality. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:350. [PMID: 33005139 PMCID: PMC7479205 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human species possesses two complementary, yet distinct, universal communication systems—language and music. Functional imaging studies have revealed that some core elements of these two systems are processed in closely related brain regions, but there are also clear differences in brain circuitry that likely underlie differences in functionality. Music affects many aspects of human behavior, especially in encouraging prosocial interactions and promoting trust and cooperation within groups of culturally compatible but not necessarily genetically related individuals. Music, presumably via its impact on the limbic system, is also rewarding and motivating, and music can facilitate aspects of learning and memory. In this review these special characteristics of music are considered in light of recent research on the neuroscience of the peptide oxytocin, a hormone that has both peripheral and central actions, that plays a role in many complex human behaviors, and whose expression has recently been reported to be affected by music-related activities. I will first briefly discuss what is currently known about the peptide’s physiological actions on neurons and its interactions with other neuromodulator systems, then summarize recent advances in our knowledge of the distribution of oxytocin and its receptor (OXTR) in the human brain. Next, the complex links between oxytocin and various social behaviors in humans are considered. First, how endogenous oxytocin levels relate to individual personality traits, and then how exogenous, intranasal application of oxytocin affects behaviors such as trust, empathy, reciprocity, group conformity, anxiety, and overall social decision making under different environmental conditions. It is argued that many of these characteristics of oxytocin biology closely mirror the diverse effects that music has on human cognition and emotion, providing a link to the important role music has played throughout human evolutionary history and helping to explain why music remains a special prosocial human asset. Finally, it is suggested that there is a potential synergy in combining oxytocin- and music-based strategies to improve general health and aid in the treatment of various neurological dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
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9
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Quan R, Wu Z, Guo W, He L, Fang P, Gong P. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism impacts victim's moral emotions following interpersonal transgression. Scand J Psychol 2020; 62:7-12. [PMID: 32815193 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immoral behaviors make individuals abominate and punish transgressors. Inspired by the associations between the Val66Met polymorphism of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) gene and emotional responses following negative events, we investigated whether this polymorphism was also associated moral emotions such as punishment and forgiveness following interpersonal transgression. To do so, we categorized 340 individuals according to the BDNF Val66Met and assessed moral emotions by using 12 hypothetic scenarios in different conditions of intention and interpersonal consequence. The results indicated that this polymorphism was significantly associated with moral aversion and punishment towards transgressors. Victims with the Val/Val genotype expressed less aversion and punishment than the Met carriers, regardless of intention and interpersonal consequence. Moreover, this polymorphism was associated with forgiveness. Victims with the Val/Val genotype expressed more forgiveness than the Met carriers. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of the BDNF Val66Met to moral emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Quan
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Zhenzhen Wu
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Wenxuan Guo
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Linlin He
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Pengpeng Fang
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Pingyuan Gong
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.,College of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.,Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.,Institute of Population and Health, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
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