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Alhazmi S, Alharthi M, Alzahrani M, Alrofaidi A, Basingab F, Almuhammadi A, Alkhatabi H, Ashi A, Chaudhary A, Elaimi A. Copy number variations in autistic children. Biomed Rep 2024; 21:107. [PMID: 38868529 PMCID: PMC11168027 DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests as a neurodevelopmental condition marked by challenges in social communication, interaction and the performing of repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of autism increases markedly on an annual basis; however, the etiology remains incompletely understood. Cytogenetically visible chromosomal abnormalities, including copy number variations (CNVs), have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of ASD. More than 1% of ASD conditions can be explained based on a known genetic locus, whereas CNVs account for 5-10% of cases. However, there are no studies on the Saudi Arabian population for the detection of CNVs linked to ASD, to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of CNVs in autistic Saudi Arabian children. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 14 autistic children along with four healthy control children and then array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was used to detect CNVs. Bioinformatics analysis of the aCGH results showed the presence of recurrent and non-recurrent deletion/duplication CNVs in several regions of the genome of autistic children. The most frequent CNVs were 1q21.2, 3p26.3, 4q13.2, 6p25.3, 6q24.2, 7p21.1, 7q34, 7q11.1, 8p23.2, 13q32.3, 14q11.1-q11.2 and 15q11.1-q11.2. In the present study, CNVs in autistic Saudi Arabian children were identified to improve the understanding of the etiology of autism and facilitate its diagnosis. Additionally, the present study identified certain possible pathogenic genes in the CNV region associated with several developmental and neurogenetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safiah Alhazmi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Neuroscience and Geroscience Research Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Central Laboratory of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maram Alharthi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Alzahrani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Alrofaidi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatemah Basingab
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asma Almuhammadi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Heba Alkhatabi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abrar Ashi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adeel Chaudhary
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Elaimi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Sakaguchi K, Tawata S. Giftedness and atypical sexual differentiation: enhanced perceptual functioning through estrogen deficiency instead of androgen excess. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1343759. [PMID: 38752176 PMCID: PMC11094242 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1343759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Syndromic autism spectrum conditions (ASC), such as Klinefelter syndrome, also manifest hypogonadism. Compared to the popular Extreme Male Brain theory, the Enhanced Perceptual Functioning model explains the connection between ASC, savant traits, and giftedness more seamlessly, and their co-emergence with atypical sexual differentiation. Overexcitability of primary sensory inputs generates a relative enhancement of local to global processing of stimuli, hindering the abstraction of communication signals, in contrast to the extraordinary local information processing skills in some individuals. Weaker inhibitory function through gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors and the atypicality of synapse formation lead to this difference, and the formation of unique neural circuits that process external information. Additionally, deficiency in monitoring inner sensory information leads to alexithymia (inability to distinguish one's own emotions), which can be caused by hypoactivity of estrogen and oxytocin in the interoceptive neural circuits, comprising the anterior insular and cingulate gyri. These areas are also part of the Salience Network, which switches between the Central Executive Network for external tasks and the Default Mode Network for self-referential mind wandering. Exploring the possibility that estrogen deficiency since early development interrupts GABA shift, causing sensory processing atypicality, it helps to evaluate the co-occurrence of ASC with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and schizophrenia based on phenotypic and physiological bases. It also provides clues for understanding the common underpinnings of these neurodevelopmental disorders and gifted populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kikue Sakaguchi
- Research Department, National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE), Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shintaro Tawata
- Graduate School of Human Sciences, Sophia University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Sjörs Dahlman A, Ljung Aust M, Mama Y, Hasson D, Anund A. In-vehicle fragrance administration as a countermeasure for driver fatigue. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2024; 195:107429. [PMID: 38128240 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2023.107429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Driver fatigue is a contributing factor in about 10-30% of all fatal crashes. Prevention of fatigue-related crashes relies on robust detection of driver fatigue and application of effective countermeasures. A potential countermeasure is fragrance administration since odors can have alerting effects on humans. The aim here was to investigate if a fragrance incorporating trigeminal components could be used as an in-vehicle countermeasure for driver fatigue. The fragrance was tested in a driving simulator with 21 healthy but sleep-deprived participants. Each participant performed a monotonous driving task twice, once with active fragrance containing a trigeminal component and once with olfactory fragrance, in a cross-over single-blind design. The order of trigeminal/olfactory fragrance was randomized and blinded to the participants. Both fragrances (trigeminal/olfactory) were administered either when the participant fell asleep (defined as eye closure > 3 s) or after approximately 45 min if the participant did not fall asleep. Self-reported sleepiness was assessed using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) every 5 min during driving. Variability in speed and lateral position and line crossing frequency were logged for each drive to measure driving performance. Heart rate measurements (ECG) and eye blinks (EOG) were collected to investigate potential arousing effects of the fragrance and to track objective signs of sleepiness. Mean blink duration, which was used as an objective measure of sleepiness, decreased significantly, after fragrance exposure, as did the frequency of line crossings, but there were no statistically significant differences between the fragrance with trigeminal stimulus and the pure olfactory fragrance. The results are in line with the effects found for other commonly used fatigue countermeasures, like playing loud music. These countermeasures can restore alertness and driving performance for a short while. Whether this is sufficient to support driving performance until the driver can make a safe stop in real traffic remains a topic for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sjörs Dahlman
- Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), Linköping, Sweden; Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and SAFER Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | | | - Yaniv Mama
- Ariel University, Department of Psychology, Israel; Moodify Inc, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Dan Hasson
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Learning Informatics Management and Ethics, Medical Management Centre, Sweden and Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, USA
| | - Anna Anund
- Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), Linköping, Sweden
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4
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Di Cicco F, Evans RL, James AG, Weddell I, Chopra A, Smeets MAM. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting axillary odor variation. A comprehensive review. Physiol Behav 2023; 270:114307. [PMID: 37516230 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Humans produce odorous secretions from multiple body sites according to the microbiomic profile of each area and the types of secretory glands present. Because the axilla is an active, odor-producing region that mediates social communication via the sense of smell, this article focuses on the biological mechanisms underlying the creation of axillary odor, as well as the intrinsic and extrinsic factors likely to impact the odor and determine individual differences. The list of intrinsic factors discussed includes sex, age, ethnicity, emotions, and personality, and extrinsic factors include dietary choices, diseases, climate, and hygienic habits. In addition, we also draw attention to gaps in our understanding of each factor, including, for example, topical areas such as the effect of climate on body odor variation. Fundamental challenges and emerging research opportunities are further outlined in the discussion. Finally, we suggest guidelines and best practices based on the factors reviewed herein for preparatory protocols of sweat collection, data analysis, and interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Di Cicco
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, Utrecht, CS 3584, the Netherlands.
| | - Richard L Evans
- Unilever Research & Development, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Bebington, UK
| | - A Gordon James
- Unilever Research & Development, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, UK
| | - Iain Weddell
- Unilever Research & Development, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Bebington, UK
| | - Anita Chopra
- Unilever Research & Development, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Bebington, UK
| | - Monique A M Smeets
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, Utrecht, CS 3584, the Netherlands; Unilever Research & Development, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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5
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Wunder A, Ludwig J, Haertl T, Arnhardt S, Schwinn L, Chellapandian DC, Weinmair E, Mühle C, Thürauf N, Kornhuber J, Rohleder N, Loos HM, Freiherr J. Can you smell my stress? Influence of stress chemosignals on empathy and emotion recognition in depressed individuals and healthy controls. Physiol Behav 2023; 270:114309. [PMID: 37517662 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Human body odors contain chemical signals that play a key role in our non-verbal communication regarding health, genetic identity, immune system, fitness, and emotional state. Studies on human chemosignaling in individuals with psychiatric diseases are scarce but indicate altered smell perception and emotion recognition in depressed individuals. In the present project, we aimed to investigate the influence of chemosensory substances in social stress sweat on emotion recognition, perspective taking, affective responsiveness as well as stress level in healthy and depressed individuals. Therefore, chemosensory stimuli (sweat samples from Trier social stress test (TSST) and friendly-TSST (fTSST)) were obtained from 39 healthy participants (19 females). In a next step, chemosensory stimuli and an odor-free blank (cotton pad) were used to stimulate another group of 40 healthy participants (20 females) and 37 individuals with depression (24 females). Those stimuli were examined regarding their influence on subjective feelings of stress, emotion perception and empathic reactions using an empathy test. Furthermore, physiological data (breathing, heart rate, skin conductance response, stress hormones) of the participants were collected during chemosensory stimulation. Depressed individuals improved their ability of perspective taking and affective responsiveness for the emotion grief when presented with stress chemosignals compared to no chemosignals. Healthy individuals remained unaffected regarding perspective taking and affective responsiveness. Both depressed and healthy individuals showed no increased stress hormone cortisol and α-amylase values during the social stress chemosignals condition, but reduced values for fTSST condition compared to no chemosignals respectively. The results imply that stress chemosignals do not trigger a stress reaction, but for depressed individuals they lead to a better emotion assessment for grief. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the effects of social stress chemosignals on healthy and depressed individuals. Knowing the impact of human chemosignals on emotional processing is crucial for a better understanding of non-verbal human interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annkatrin Wunder
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Janina Ludwig
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Haertl
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Henkestrasse 9, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sally Arnhardt
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Leo Schwinn
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering, Carl-Thiersch-Strasse 2b, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Deepak Charles Chellapandian
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Weinmair
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Chair of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Nägelsbachstrasse 49a, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Norbert Thürauf
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Rohleder
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Chair of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Nägelsbachstrasse 49a, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helene M Loos
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Henkestrasse 9, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engeneering and Packaging (IVV), Giggenhauser Str. 35, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Jessica Freiherr
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV), Sensory Analytics and Technologies, Giggenhauser Str. 35, 85354 Freising, Germany.
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6
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Loos HM, Schaal B, Pause BM, Smeets MAM, Ferdenzi C, Roberts SC, de Groot J, Lübke KT, Croy I, Freiherr J, Bensafi M, Hummel T, Havlíček J. Past, Present, and Future of Human Chemical Communication Research. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023:17456916231188147. [PMID: 37669015 DOI: 10.1177/17456916231188147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Although chemical signaling is an essential mode of communication in most vertebrates, it has long been viewed as having negligible effects in humans. However, a growing body of evidence shows that the sense of smell affects human behavior in social contexts ranging from affiliation and parenting to disease avoidance and social threat. This article aims to (a) introduce research on human chemical communication in the historical context of the behavioral sciences; (b) provide a balanced overview of recent advances that describe individual differences in the emission of semiochemicals and the neural mechanisms underpinning their perception, that together demonstrate communicative function; and (c) propose directions for future research toward unraveling the molecular principles involved and understanding the variability in the generation, transmission, and reception of chemical signals in increasingly ecologically valid conditions. Achieving these goals will enable us to address some important societal challenges but are within reach only with the aid of genuinely interdisciplinary approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene M Loos
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Department of Sensory Analytics and Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
| | - Benoist Schaal
- Development of Olfactory Cognition and Communication Lab, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS UMR 6265, Université de Bourgogne
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
| | | | - Camille Ferdenzi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier
| | | | | | - Katrin T Lübke
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
| | - Ilona Croy
- Institute for Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
| | - Jessica Freiherr
- Department of Sensory Analytics and Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden
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Schulz SE, Luszawski M, Hannah KE, Stevenson RA. Sensory Gating in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Scoping Review. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:1005-1019. [PMID: 37014483 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01058-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
This review aimed to explore the current understanding of sensory gating in neurodevelopmental disorders as a possible transdiagnostic mechanism. We applied methods according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis, following the population, concept, and context scoping review eligibility criteria. Using a comprehensive search strategy in five relevant research databases (Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Scopus), we searched for relevant peer-reviewed, primary research articles and unpublished data. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts, full-texts, and completed data extraction. We identified a total of 81 relevant articles and used descriptive analyses to summarize the characteristics and outcomes of all identified studies. Literature regarding sensory gating was most common in autistic populations with relatively fewer studies examining attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, tic disorders, and childhood-onset fluency disorder (COFD). The methods to assess sensory gating varied widely both within and between groups and included measures such as habituation, prepulse inhibition, affect-modulated inhibition, medication and other intervention trials. Most consistently, when participants complete questionnaires about their sensory experiences, those who have neurodevelopmental disorders report differences in their sensory gating. Affect-modulated inhibition appears to be discrepant between samples with and without neurodevelopmental disorder diagnoses. Habituation was the most commonly reported phenomenon and many differences in habituation have been found in autistic individuals and individuals with tic disorders whereas concerns with inhibition seemed more common in COFD. Overall, the evidence is inconsistent within and between disorders suggesting there is still much to learn about sensory gating in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Schulz
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Luszawski
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kara E Hannah
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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8
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de Groot JHB, Haertl T, Loos HM, Bachmann C, Kontouli A, Smeets MAM. Unraveling the universality of chemical fear communication: evidence from behavioral, genetic, and chemical analyses. Chem Senses 2023; 48:bjad046. [PMID: 37944028 PMCID: PMC10718800 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjad046] [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: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Abundant evidence indicates that humans can communicate threat-related information to conspecifics through their body odors. However, prior research has been primarily conducted on Western (WEIRD) samples. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether threat-related information can be transmitted by individuals of East Asian descent who carry a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 538G → A in the ABCC11 gene, which significantly reduces (noticeable) body odor. To examine this, we recruited 18 self-identified male East Asian AA-homozygotes and 18 self-identified male Western individuals who were carriers of the functional G-allele. We collected samples of their fear-related and neutral body odors. Subsequently, we conducted a double-blind behavioral experiment in which we presented these samples to 69 self-identified female participants of Western Caucasian and East Asian backgrounds. The participants were asked to rate faces that were morphed between expressions of fear and disgust. Notably, despite the "odorless" phenotypical expression of the ABCC11-mutation in East Asians, their fear odor caused a perceptual fear bias in both East Asian and Caucasian receivers. This finding leaves open the possibility of universal fear chemosignaling. Additionally, we conducted exploratory chemical analysis to gain initial insights into the chemical composition of the body odors presented. In a subsequent pre-registered behavioral study (N = 33), we found that exposure to hexadecanoic acid, an abundant compound in the fear and neutral body odor samples, was sufficient to reproduce the observed behavioral effects. While exploratory, these findings provide insight into how specific chemical components can drive chemical fear communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper H B de Groot
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 XZ, the Netherlands
| | - Tobias Haertl
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Helene M Loos
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, Freising 85354, Germany
| | - Christin Bachmann
- Department of Social, Health, & Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CS, the Netherlands
| | - Athanasia Kontouli
- Department of Social, Health, & Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CS, the Netherlands
| | - Monique A M Smeets
- Department of Social, Health, & Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CS, the Netherlands
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9
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Roberts SC, Třebická Fialová J, Sorokowska A, Langford B, Sorokowski P, Třebický V, Havlíček J. Emotional expression in human odour. EVOLUTIONARY HUMAN SCIENCES 2022; 4:e44. [PMID: 37588919 PMCID: PMC10426192 DOI: 10.1017/ehs.2022.44] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent work has demonstrated that human body odour alters with changing emotional state and that emotionally laden odours can affect the physiology and behaviour of people exposed to them. Here we review these discoveries, which we believe add to a growing recognition that the human sense of smell and its potential role in social interactions have been underappreciated. However, we also critically evaluate the current evidence, with a particular focus on methodology and the interpretation of emotional odour studies. We argue that while the evidence convincingly indicates that humans retain a capacity for olfactory communication of emotion, the extent to which this occurs in ordinary social interaction remains an open question. Future studies should place fewer restrictions on participant selection and lifestyle and adopt more realistic experimental designs. We also need to devote more consideration to underlying mechanisms and to recognise the constraints that these may place on effective communication. Finally, we outline some promising approaches to address these issues, and raise some broader theoretical questions that such approaches may help us to answer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ben Langford
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Penicuik, UK
| | | | - Vít Třebický
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Havlíček
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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10
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Ravreby I, Snitz K, Sobel N. There is chemistry in social chemistry. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0154. [PMID: 35749498 PMCID: PMC9232116 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Nonhuman terrestrial mammals sniff themselves and each other to decide who is friend or foe. Humans also sniff themselves and each other, but the function of this is unknown. Because humans seek friends who are similar to themselves, we hypothesized that humans may smell themselves and others to subconsciously estimate body odor similarity, which, in turn, may promote friendship. To test this, we recruited nonromantic same-sex friend dyads and harvested their body odor. We found that objective ratings obtained with an electronic nose, and subjective ratings obtained from independent human smellers converged to suggest that friends smell more similar to each other than random dyads. Last, we recruited complete strangers, smelled them with an electronic nose, and engaged them in nonverbal same-sex dyadic interactions. We observed that dyads who smelled more similar had more positive dyadic interactions. In other words, we could predict social bonding with an electronic nose. We conclude that there is indeed chemistry in social chemistry.
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11
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Jovanovic P, Riera CE. Olfactory system and energy metabolism: a two-way street. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2022; 33:281-291. [PMID: 35177346 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Olfactory perception guides daily decisions regarding food consumption, social interactions, and predator avoidance in all mammalian species. Volatile inputs, comprising odorants and pheromones, are relayed to the olfactory bulb (OB) from nasal sensory neurons cells and transferred to secondary processing regions within the brain. Olfaction has recently been shown to shape homeostatic and maladaptive processes of energy intake and expenditure through neuronal circuits involving the medial basal hypothalamus. Reciprocally, gastrointestinal hormones, such as ghrelin and leptin, the secretion of which depends on satiety and adiposity levels, might also influence olfactory sensitivity to alter food-seeking behaviors. Here, in addition to reviewing recent updates on identifying these neuronal networks, we also discuss how bidirectional neurocircuits existing between olfactory and energy processing centers can become dysregulated during obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Jovanovic
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Department and Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Celine E Riera
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Department and Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Movement Disorder Program, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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12
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Kotajima-Murakami H, Hagihara H, Sato A, Hagino Y, Tanaka M, Katoh Y, Nishito Y, Takamatsu Y, Uchino S, Miyakawa T, Ikeda K. Exposure to GABA A Receptor Antagonist Picrotoxin in Pregnant Mice Causes Autism-Like Behaviors and Aberrant Gene Expression in Offspring. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:821354. [PMID: 35185658 PMCID: PMC8850354 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.821354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by impairments in social interaction and restricted/repetitive behaviors. The neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) through GABAA receptor signaling in the immature brain plays a key role in the development of neuronal circuits. Excitatory/inhibitory imbalance in the mature brain has been investigated as a pathophysiological mechanism of ASD. However, whether and how disturbances of GABA signaling in embryos that are caused by GABAA receptor inhibitors cause ASD-like pathophysiology are poorly understood. The present study examined whether exposure to the GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxin causes ASD-like pathophysiology in offspring by conducting behavioral tests from the juvenile period to adulthood and performing gene expression analyses in mature mouse brains. Here, we found that male mice that were prenatally exposed to picrotoxin exhibited a reduction of active interaction time in the social interaction test in both adolescence and adulthood. The gene expression analyses showed that picrotoxin-exposed male mice exhibited a significant increase in the gene expression of odorant receptors. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed a strong correlation between social interaction and enrichment of the "odorant binding" pathway gene module. Our findings suggest that exposure to a GABAA receptor inhibitor during the embryonic period induces ASD-like behavior, and impairments in odorant function may contribute to social deficits in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Kotajima-Murakami
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-Ku, Japan.,Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya-Shi, Japan
| | - Hideo Hagihara
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake-Shi, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sato
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-Ku, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-Ku, Japan
| | - Yoko Hagino
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-Ku, Japan
| | - Miho Tanaka
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-Ku, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-Ku, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Katoh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-Ku, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Nishito
- Center for Basic Technology Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-Ku, Japan
| | - Yukio Takamatsu
- Center for Basic Technology Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-Ku, Japan
| | - Shigeo Uchino
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-Ku, Japan.,Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya-Shi, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake-Shi, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-Ku, Japan
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13
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Takesono A, Schirrmacher P, Scott A, Green JM, Lee O, Winter MJ, Kudoh T, Tyler CR. Estrogens regulate early embryonic development of the olfactory sensory system via estrogen-responsive glia. Development 2022; 149:dev199860. [PMID: 35023540 PMCID: PMC8881738 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens are well-known to regulate development of sexual dimorphism of the brain; however, their role in embryonic brain development prior to sex-differentiation is unclear. Using estrogen biosensor zebrafish models, we found that estrogen activity in the embryonic brain occurs from early neurogenesis specifically in a type of glia in the olfactory bulb (OB), which we name estrogen-responsive olfactory bulb (EROB) cells. In response to estrogen, EROB cells overlay the outermost layer of the OB and interact tightly with olfactory sensory neurons at the olfactory glomeruli. Inhibiting estrogen activity using an estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI182,780 (ICI), and/or EROB cell ablation impedes olfactory glomerular development, including the topological organisation of olfactory glomeruli and inhibitory synaptogenesis in the OB. Furthermore, activation of estrogen signalling inhibits both intrinsic and olfaction-dependent neuronal activity in the OB, whereas ICI or EROB cell ablation results in the opposite effect on neuronal excitability. Altering the estrogen signalling disrupts olfaction-mediated behaviour in later larval stage. We propose that estrogens act on glia to regulate development of OB circuits, thereby modulating the local excitability in the OB and olfaction-mediated behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Takesono
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Paula Schirrmacher
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Aaron Scott
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jon M Green
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Okhyun Lee
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Matthew J Winter
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Tetsuhiro Kudoh
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Charles R Tyler
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
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14
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The social odor scale: Development and initial validation of a new scale for the assessment of social odor awareness. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260587. [PMID: 34905551 PMCID: PMC8670672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The degree of attention individuals pay to olfactory cues (called odor awareness) influences the role of odors in everyday life. Particularly, odors produced by the human body (i.e., social odors) are able to carry a wide variety of information and to elicit a broad spectrum of emotional reactions, making them essential in interpersonal relationships. Hence, despite the assessment of awareness toward social odors is crucial, a proper tool is still lacking. Here, we designed and initially validated the Social Odor Scale (SOS), a 12-item scale designed to measure the individual differences in awareness towards different social odors. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA; KMO test: MSA = 0.78; Bartlett's test: χ2(78) = 631.34, p < 0.001; Chi-squared test: χ2(42) = 71.84, p = 0.003) suggests that the three factors structure was the model that best fit with the Italian version of the scale. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supports a second-order model with one higher-order factor representing social odor awareness in general and three lower-order factors representing familiar, romantic partner, and stranger social odors. The final version of the scale presented a good fit (RMSEA = 0.012, SRMR = 0.069, CFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.997). In Study 2, CFA was performed in the German version of the scale confirming the validity of scale structure. Study 3 and 4 revealed that SOS total score and its subscales were positively correlated with other validated olfactory scales, but not with olfactory abilities. Moreover, SOS was found to be related to the gender of the participants: women reported to be more aware to social odors and, specifically, to familiar social odors than men. Overall, the results indicated that SOS is a valid and reliable instrument to assess awareness toward social odors in everyday life.
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15
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Mishor E, Amir D, Weiss T, Honigstein D, Weissbrod A, Livne E, Gorodisky L, Karagach S, Ravia A, Snitz K, Karawani D, Zirler R, Weissgross R, Soroka T, Endevelt-Shapira Y, Agron S, Rozenkrantz L, Reshef N, Furman-Haran E, Breer H, Strotmann J, Uebi T, Ozaki M, Sobel N. Sniffing the human body volatile hexadecanal blocks aggression in men but triggers aggression in women. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg1530. [PMID: 34797713 PMCID: PMC8604408 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg1530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In terrestrial mammals, body volatiles can effectively trigger or block conspecific aggression. Here, we tested whether hexadecanal (HEX), a human body volatile implicated as a mammalian-wide social chemosignal, affects human aggression. Using validated behavioral paradigms, we observed a marked dissociation: Sniffing HEX blocked aggression in men but triggered aggression in women. Next, using functional brain imaging, we uncovered a pattern of brain activity mirroring behavior: In both men and women, HEX increased activity in the left angular gyrus, an area implicated in perception of social cues. HEX then modulated functional connectivity between the angular gyrus and a brain network implicated in social appraisal (temporal pole) and aggressive execution (amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex) in a sex-dependent manner consistent with behavior: increasing connectivity in men but decreasing connectivity in women. These findings implicate sex-specific social chemosignaling at the mechanistic heart of human aggressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Mishor
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Amir
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Weiss
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Danielle Honigstein
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Weissbrod
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ethan Livne
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lior Gorodisky
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shiri Karagach
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Ravia
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kobi Snitz
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Diyala Karawani
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rotem Zirler
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reut Weissgross
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Timna Soroka
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaara Endevelt-Shapira
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shani Agron
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Rozenkrantz
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Netta Reshef
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Heinz Breer
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Joerg Strotmann
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tatsuya Uebi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Noam Sobel
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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16
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Nakamura M, Ye K, E Silva MB, Yamauchi T, Hoeppner DJ, Fayyazuddin A, Kang G, Yuda EA, Nagashima M, Enomoto S, Hiramoto T, Sharp R, Kaneko I, Tajinda K, Adachi M, Mihara T, Tokuno S, Geyer MA, Broin PÓ, Matsumoto M, Hiroi N. Computational identification of variables in neonatal vocalizations predictive for postpubertal social behaviors in a mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:6578-6588. [PMID: 33859357 PMCID: PMC8517042 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01089-y] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often signaled by atypical cries during infancy. Copy number variants (CNVs) provide genetically identifiable cases of ASD, but how early atypical cries predict a later onset of ASD among CNV carriers is not understood in humans. Genetic mouse models of CNVs have provided a reliable tool to experimentally isolate the impact of CNVs and identify early predictors for later abnormalities in behaviors relevant to ASD. However, many technical issues have confounded the phenotypic characterization of such mouse models, including systematically biased genetic backgrounds and weak or absent behavioral phenotypes. To address these issues, we developed a coisogenic mouse model of human proximal 16p11.2 hemizygous deletion and applied computational approaches to identify hidden variables within neonatal vocalizations that have predictive power for postpubertal dimensions relevant to ASD. After variables of neonatal vocalizations were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso), random forest, and Markov model, regression models were constructed to predict postpubertal dimensions relevant to ASD. While the average scores of many standard behavioral assays designed to model dimensions did not differentiate a model of 16p11.2 hemizygous deletion and wild-type littermates, specific call types and call sequences of neonatal vocalizations predicted individual variability of postpubertal reciprocal social interaction and olfactory responses to a social cue in a genotype-specific manner. Deep-phenotyping and computational analyses identified hidden variables within neonatal social communication that are predictive of postpubertal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuteru Nakamura
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenny Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Science, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mariel Barbachan E Silva
- School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Takahira Yamauchi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Daniel J Hoeppner
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amir Fayyazuddin
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gina Kang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Emi A Yuda
- Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masako Nagashima
- Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Shingo Enomoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Takeshi Hiramoto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Richard Sharp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Itaru Kaneko
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Katsunori Tajinda
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Megumi Adachi
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Takuma Mihara
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinichi Tokuno
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mark A Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pilib Ó Broin
- School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Mitsuyuki Matsumoto
- La Jolla Laboratory, Astellas Research Institute of America LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Noboru Hiroi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Cell Systems Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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17
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The potential for retronasally delivered olfactory stimuli to assess psychiatric conditions. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-019-00238-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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18
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Rawsthorne H, Calahorro F, Holden-Dye L, O’ Connor V, Dillon J. Investigating autism associated genes in C. elegans reveals candidates with a role in social behaviour. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243121. [PMID: 34043629 PMCID: PMC8158995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a triad of behavioural impairments and includes disruption in social behaviour. ASD has a clear genetic underpinning and hundreds of genes are implicated in its aetiology. However, how single penetrant genes disrupt activity of neural circuits which lead to affected behaviours is only beginning to be understood and less is known about how low penetrant genes interact to disrupt emergent behaviours. Investigations are well served by experimental approaches that allow tractable investigation of the underpinning genetic basis of circuits that control behaviours that operate in the biological domains that are neuro-atypical in autism. The model organism C. elegans provides an experimental platform to investigate the effect of genetic mutations on behavioural outputs including those that impact social biology. Here we use progeny-derived social cues that modulate C. elegans food leaving to assay genetic determinants of social behaviour. We used the SAFRI Gene database to identify C. elegans orthologues of human ASD associated genes. We identified a number of mutants that displayed selective deficits in response to progeny. The genetic determinants of this complex social behaviour highlight the important contribution of synaptopathy and implicates genes within cell signalling, epigenetics and phospholipid metabolism functional domains. The approach overlaps with a growing number of studies that investigate potential molecular determinants of autism in C. elegans. However, our use of a complex, sensory integrative, emergent behaviour provides routes to enrich new or underexplored biology with the identification of novel candidate genes with a definable role in social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Rawsthorne
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Calahorro
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Lindy Holden-Dye
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent O’ Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - James Dillon
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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19
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Hidalgo S, Campusano JM, Hodge JJL. Assessing olfactory, memory, social and circadian phenotypes associated with schizophrenia in a genetic model based on Rim. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:292. [PMID: 34001859 PMCID: PMC8128896 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01418-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia shows high heritability and several of the genes associated with this disorder are involved in calcium (Ca2+) signalling and synaptic function. One of these is the Rab-3 interacting molecule-1 (RIM1), which has recently been associated with schizophrenia by Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). However, its contribution to the pathophysiology of this disorder remains unexplored. In this work, we use Drosophila mutants of the orthologue of RIM1, Rim, to model some aspects of the classical and non-classical symptoms of schizophrenia. Rim mutants showed several behavioural features relevant to schizophrenia including social distancing and altered olfactory processing. These defects were accompanied by reduced evoked Ca2+ influx and structural changes in the presynaptic terminals sent by the primary olfactory neurons to higher processing centres. In contrast, expression of Rim-RNAi in the mushroom bodies (MBs), the main memory centre in flies, spared learning and memory suggesting a differential role of Rim in different synapses. Circadian deficits have been reported in schizophrenia. We observed circadian locomotor activity deficits in Rim mutants, revealing a role of Rim in the pacemaker ventral lateral clock neurons (LNvs). These changes were accompanied by impaired day/night remodelling of dorsal terminal synapses from a subpopulation of LNvs and impaired day/night release of the circadian neuropeptide pigment dispersing factor (PDF) from these terminals. Lastly, treatment with the commonly used antipsychotic haloperidol rescued Rim locomotor deficits to wildtype. This work characterises the role of Rim in synaptic functions underlying behaviours disrupted in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Hidalgo
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jorge M Campusano
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - James J L Hodge
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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20
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Meister L, Pause BM. It's trust or risk? Chemosensory anxiety signals affect bargaining in women. Biol Psychol 2021; 162:108114. [PMID: 33979670 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
It is well documented how chemosensory anxiety signals affect the perceiver's physiology, however, much less is known about effects on overt social behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of chemosensory anxiety signals on trust and risk behavior in men and women. Axillary sweat samples were collected from 22 men during the experience of social anxiety, and during a sport control condition. In a series of five studies, the chemosensory stimuli were presented via an olfactometer to 214 participants acting as investors in a bargaining task either in interaction with a fictitious human co-player (trust condition) or with a computer program (risk condition). It could be shown that chemosensory anxiety signals reduce trust and risk behavior in women. In men, no effects were observed. Chemosensory anxiety is discussed to be transmitted contagiously, preferentially in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Meister
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany.
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21
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Farini D, Cesari E, Weatheritt RJ, La Sala G, Naro C, Pagliarini V, Bonvissuto D, Medici V, Guerra M, Di Pietro C, Rizzo FR, Musella A, Carola V, Centonze D, Blencowe BJ, Marazziti D, Sette C. A Dynamic Splicing Program Ensures Proper Synaptic Connections in the Developing Cerebellum. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107703. [PMID: 32492419 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tight coordination of gene expression in the developing cerebellum is crucial for establishment of neuronal circuits governing motor and cognitive function. However, transcriptional changes alone do not explain all of the switches underlying neuronal differentiation. Here we unveiled a widespread and highly dynamic splicing program that affects synaptic genes in cerebellar neurons. The motifs enriched in modulated exons implicated the splicing factor Sam68 as a regulator of this program. Sam68 controls splicing of exons with weak branchpoints by directly binding near the 3' splice site and competing with U2AF recruitment. Ablation of Sam68 disrupts splicing regulation of synaptic genes associated with neurodevelopmental diseases and impairs synaptic connections and firing of Purkinje cells, resulting in motor coordination defects, ataxia, and abnormal social behavior. These findings uncover an unexpectedly dynamic splicing regulatory network that shapes the synapse in early life and establishes motor and cognitive circuitry in the developing cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Farini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cesari
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert J Weatheritt
- Donnelly Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Gina La Sala
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Naro
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittoria Pagliarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Bonvissuto
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Vanessa Medici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Guerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Pietro
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Rizzo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; San Raffaele Pisana and University San Raffaele, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Carola
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Centonze
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Unit of Neurology, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Benjamin J Blencowe
- Donnelly Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniela Marazziti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
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22
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Sun C, Yin Z, Li B, Du H, Tang K, Liu P, Hang Pun S, Lei TC, Li A. Oxytocin modulates neural processing of mitral/tufted cells in the olfactory bulb. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2021; 231:e13626. [PMID: 33580583 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13626] [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] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM Oxytocin plays an important role in social recognition in rodents, which is mediated predominantly by the olfactory system. Although oxytocin modulates neural activity in the olfactory bulb, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we studied how direct infusion of oxytocin into the olfactory bulb affect social interactions in mice and modulate the neural activity of mitral/tufted cells in the olfactory bulb. METHODS A three-chamber social interaction test was used in the behavioural test. For in vivo studies, single unit recordings, local field potential recordings and fibre photometry recordings were used to record the neural activity of olfactory bulb. For in vitro studies, we performed patch clamp recordings in the slice of the olfactory bulb. RESULTS Behaviourally, direct oxytocin infusion in olfactory bulb increased performance in a social interaction task. Moreover, odour-evoked responses of mitral/tufted cells and neural discrimination of odours were both enhanced by oxytocin, whereas the spontaneous firing rate of mitral/tufted cells was reduced. At the neural network level, oxytocin decreased the amplitude of odour-evoked high gamma responses. At the cell population level, oxytocin decreased odour-evoked calcium responses (reflecting neural activity) specifically in granule cells. Moreover, in vitro slice recordings revealed that the inhibitory effect of oxytocin on mitral cell activity is mediated mainly by modulation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels and involves the oxytocin receptor-Gq-PLC-IP3 signalling pathway. CONCLUSION Oxytocin modulates social interaction, likely by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of odour responses in mitral cells which is partly through ATP-sensitive potassium channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changcheng Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Zhaoyang Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Ben‐Zheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed‐Signal VLSI University of Macau Macau China
- Department of Electrical Engineering University of Colorado Denver CO USA
| | - Han Du
- Institute of Neuroscience Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Keke Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Penglai Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Sio Hang Pun
- State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed‐Signal VLSI University of Macau Macau China
- Institute of Microelectronics University of Macau Macau China
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty of Science and Technology University of Macau Macau China
| | - Tim C. Lei
- Department of Electrical Engineering University of Colorado Denver CO USA
| | - Anan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
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23
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Chakraborty R, Vijay Kumar MJ, Clement JP. Critical aspects of neurodevelopment. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 180:107415. [PMID: 33647449 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Organisms have the unique ability to adapt to their environment by making use of external inputs. In the process, the brain is shaped by experiences that go hand-in-hand with optimisation of neural circuits. As such, there exists a time window for the development of different brain regions, each unique for a particular sensory modality, wherein the propensity of forming strong, irreversible connections are high, referred to as a critical period of development. Over the years, this domain of neurodevelopmental research has garnered considerable attention from many scientists, primarily because of the intensive activity-dependent nature of development. This review discusses the cellular, molecular, and neurophysiological bases of critical periods of different sensory modalities, and the disorders associated in cases the regulators of development are dysfunctional. Eventually, the neurobiological bases of the behavioural abnormalities related to developmental pathologies are discussed. A more in-depth insight into the development of the brain during the critical period of plasticity will eventually aid in developing potential therapeutics for several neurodevelopmental disorders that are categorised under critical period disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranabir Chakraborty
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bengaluru. Karnataka. India
| | - M J Vijay Kumar
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bengaluru. Karnataka. India
| | - James P Clement
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bengaluru. Karnataka. India.
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24
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Hoover KC. Sensory disruption and sensory inequities in the Anthropocene. Evol Anthropol 2021; 30:128-140. [PMID: 33580579 DOI: 10.1002/evan.21882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic disruptions to animal sensory ecology are as old as our species. But what about the effect on human sensory ecology? Human sensory dysfunction is increasing globally at great economic and health costs (mental, physical, and social). Contemporary sensory problems are directly tied to human behavioral changes and activity as well as anthropogenic pollution. The evolutionary sensory ecology and anthropogenic disruptions to three human senses (vision, audition, olfaction) are examined along with the economic and health costs of functionally reduced senses and demographic risk factors contributing to impairment. The primary goals of the paper are (a) to sew an evolutionary and ecological thread through clinical narratives on sensory dysfunction that highlights the impact of the built environment on the senses, and (b) to highlight structural, demographic, and environmental injustices that create sensory inequities in risk and that promote health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara C Hoover
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
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25
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Exploring Social Biomarkers in High-Functioning Adults with Autism and Asperger's Versus Healthy Controls: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 50:4412-4430. [PMID: 32279223 PMCID: PMC7677266 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04493-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are lacking but would facilitate drug development for the core deficits of the disorder. We evaluated markers proposed for characterization of differences in social communication and interaction in adults with ASD versus healthy controls (HC) for utility as biomarkers. Data pooled from an observational study and baseline data from a placebo-controlled study were analyzed. Between-group differences were observed in eye-tracking tasks for activity monitoring, biomotion, human activity preference, composite score (p = 0.0001-0.037) and pupillometry (various tasks, p = 0.017-0.05). Impaired olfaction was more common in the ASD sample versus HC (p = 0.018). Our preliminary results suggest the potential use for stratification and response sub-analyses outcome-prediction of specific eye-tracking tasks, pupillometry and olfaction tests in ASD trials.
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26
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Hartig R, Wolf D, Schmeisser MJ, Kelsch W. Genetic influences of autism candidate genes on circuit wiring and olfactory decoding. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:581-595. [PMID: 33515293 PMCID: PMC7872953 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03390-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Olfaction supports a multitude of behaviors vital for social communication and interactions between conspecifics. Intact sensory processing is contingent upon proper circuit wiring. Disturbances in genetic factors controlling circuit assembly and synaptic wiring can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), where impaired social interactions and communication are core symptoms. The variability in behavioral phenotype expression is also contingent upon the role environmental factors play in defining genetic expression. Considering the prevailing clinical diagnosis of ASD, research on therapeutic targets for autism is essential. Behavioral impairments may be identified along a range of increasingly complex social tasks. Hence, the assessment of social behavior and communication is progressing towards more ethologically relevant tasks. Garnering a more accurate understanding of social processing deficits in the sensory domain may greatly contribute to the development of therapeutic targets. With that framework, studies have found a viable link between social behaviors, circuit wiring, and altered neuronal coding related to the processing of salient social stimuli. Here, the relationship between social odor processing in rodents and humans is examined in the context of health and ASD, with special consideration for how genetic expression and neuronal connectivity may regulate behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Hartig
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany.,Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany.,Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.,Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - David Wolf
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany.,Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kelsch
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany. .,Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131, Mainz, Germany. .,Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.
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27
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Chen K, Ye Y, Troje NF, Zhou W. Oxytocin modulates human chemosensory decoding of sex in a dose-dependent manner. eLife 2021; 10:59376. [PMID: 33439831 PMCID: PMC7806258 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been accumulating evidence of human social chemo-signaling, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Considering the evolutionarily conserved roles of oxytocin and vasopressin in reproductive and social behaviors, we examined whether the two neuropeptides are involved in the subconscious processing of androsta-4,16,-dien-3-one and estra-1,3,5 (10),16-tetraen-3-ol, two human chemosignals that convey masculinity and femininity to the targeted recipients, respectively. Psychophysical data collected from 216 heterosexual and homosexual men across five experiments totaling 1056 testing sessions consistently showed that such chemosensory communications of masculinity and femininity were blocked by a competitive antagonist of both oxytocin and vasopressin receptors called atosiban, administered nasally. On the other hand, intranasal oxytocin, but not vasopressin, modulated the decoding of androstadienone and estratetraenol in manners that were dose-dependent, nonmonotonic, and contingent upon the recipients’ social proficiency. Taken together, these findings establish a causal link between neuroendocrine factors and subconscious chemosensory communications of sex-specific information in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kepu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuting Ye
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Wen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
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28
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Sterley TL, Bains JS. Social communication of affective states. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 68:44-51. [PMID: 33434768 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Social interactions promote the communication of explicit and implicit information between individuals. Implicit or subconscious sharing of cues can be useful in conveying affective states. Knowing the affective state of others can guide future interactions, while an inability to decipher another's affective state is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder. The precise neural circuitry and mechanisms involved in communicating affective states are not well understood. Over the past few years, a number of important observations in rodent models have increased our knowledge of the neural processes for social communication of affective state. Here we highlight these contributions by first describing the rodent models used to investigate social communication of affect and then summarising the neural circuitry and processes implicated by these rodent models. We relate these findings to humans as well as to the current global context where social interactions have been modified by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni-Lee Sterley
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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29
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Ye Y, Lu Z, Zhou W. Pheromone effects on the human hypothalamus in relation to sexual orientation and gender. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 182:293-306. [PMID: 34266600 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819973-2.00021-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pheromones are chemicals that serve communicational purposes within a species. In most terrestrial mammals, pheromones are detected by either the olfactory epithelium or the vomeronasal organ and processed by various downstream structures including the medial amygdala and the hypothalamus to regulate motivated behaviors and endocrine responses. The search for human pheromones began in the 1970s. Whereas bioactive ligands are yet to be identified, there has been accumulating evidence that human body odors exert a range of pheromone-like effects on the recipients, including triggering innate behavioral responses, modulating endocrine levels, signaling social information, and affecting mood and cognition. In parallel, results from recent brain imaging studies suggest that body odors evoke distinct neural responses from those observed with common nonsocial odors. Two endogenous steroids androsta-4,16,- dien-3-one and estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3-ol are considered by some as candidates for human sex pheromones. The two substances produce sexually dimorphic effects on human perception, mood, and physiological arousal. Moreover, they reportedly elicit different hypothalamic response patterns in manners contingent on the recipients' sex and sexual orientation. Neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying the effects of human chemosignals are not yet clear and await future detailed analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhonghua Lu
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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30
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Rawsthorne H, Calahorro F, Feist E, Holden-Dye L, O'Connor V, Dillon J. Neuroligin dependence of social behaviour in Caenorhabditis elegans provides a model to investigate an autism-associated gene. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3546-3553. [PMID: 33206170 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a triad of behavioural impairments including social behaviour. Neuroligin, a trans-synaptic adhesion molecule, has emerged as a penetrant genetic determinant of behavioural traits that signature the neuroatypical behaviours of autism. However, the function of neuroligin in social circuitry and the impact of genetic variation to this gene is not fully understood. Indeed, in animal studies designed to model autism, there remains controversy regarding the role of neuroligin dysfunction in the expression of disrupted social behaviours. The model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, offers an informative experimental platform to investigate the impact of genetic variants on social behaviour. In a number of paradigms, it has been shown that inter-organismal communication by chemical cues regulates C. elegans social behaviour. We utilize this social behaviour to investigate the effect of autism-associated genetic variants within the social domain of the research domain criteria. We have identified neuroligin as an important regulator of social behaviour and segregate the importance of this gene to the recognition and/or processing of social cues. We also use CRISPR/Cas9 to edit an R-C mutation that mimics a highly penetrant human mutation associated with autism. C. elegans carrying this mutation phenocopy the behavioural dysfunction of a C. elegans neuroligin null mutant, thus confirming its significance in the regulation of animal social biology. This highlights that quantitative behaviour and precision genetic intervention can be used to manipulate discrete social circuits of the worm to provide further insight into complex social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Rawsthorne
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Fernando Calahorro
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Emily Feist
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Lindy Holden-Dye
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Vincent O'Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - James Dillon
- School of Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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31
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de Groot JHB, Croijmans I, Smeets MAM. More Data, Please: Machine Learning to Advance the Multidisciplinary Science of Human Sociochemistry. Front Psychol 2020; 11:581701. [PMID: 33192899 PMCID: PMC7642605 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.581701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Communication constitutes the core of human life. A large portion of our everyday social interactions is non-verbal. Of the sensory modalities we use for non-verbal communication, olfaction (i.e., the sense of smell) is often considered the most enigmatic medium. Outside of our awareness, smells provide information about our identity, emotions, gender, mate compatibility, illness, and potentially more. Yet, body odors are astonishingly complex, with their composition being influenced by various factors. Is there a chemical basis of olfactory communication? Can we identify molecules predictive of psychological states and traits? We propose that answering these questions requires integrating two disciplines: psychology and chemistry. This new field, coined sociochemistry, faces new challenges emerging from the sheer amount of factors causing variability in chemical composition of body odorants on the one hand (e.g., diet, hygiene, skin bacteria, hormones, genes), and variability in psychological states and traits on the other (e.g., genes, culture, hormones, internal state, context). In past research, the reality of these high-dimensional data has been reduced in an attempt to isolate unidimensional factors in small, homogenous samples under tightly controlled settings. Here, we propose big data approaches to establish novel links between chemical and psychological data on a large scale from heterogeneous samples in ecologically valid settings. This approach would increase our grip on the way chemical signals non-verbally and subconsciously affect our social lives across contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper H. B. de Groot
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ilja Croijmans
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Monique A. M. Smeets
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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32
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Minio-Paluello I, Porciello G, Pascual-Leone A, Baron-Cohen S. Face individual identity recognition: a potential endophenotype in autism. Mol Autism 2020; 11:81. [PMID: 33081830 PMCID: PMC7576748 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00371-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Face individual identity recognition skill is heritable and independent of intellectual ability. Difficulties in face individual identity recognition are present in autistic individuals and their family members and are possibly linked to oxytocin polymorphisms in families with an autistic child. While it is reported that developmental prosopagnosia (i.e., impaired face identity recognition) occurs in 2-3% of the general population, no prosopagnosia prevalence estimate is available for autism. Furthermore, an autism within-group approach has not been reported towards characterizing impaired face memory and to investigate its possible links to social and communication difficulties. METHODS The present study estimated the prevalence of prosopagnosia in 80 autistic adults with no intellectual disability, investigated its cognitive characteristics and links to autism symptoms' severity, personality traits, and mental state understanding from the eye region by using standardized tests and questionnaires. RESULTS More than one third of autistic participants showed prosopagnosia. Their face memory skill was not associated with their symptom's severity, empathy, alexithymia, or general intelligence. Face identity recognition was instead linked to mental state recognition from the eye region only in autistic individuals who had prosopagnosia, and this relationship did not depend on participants' basic face perception skills. Importantly, we found that autistic participants were not aware of their face memory skills. LIMITATIONS We did not test an epidemiological sample, and additional work is necessary to establish whether these results generalize to the entire autism spectrum. CONCLUSIONS Impaired face individual identity recognition meets the criteria to be a potential endophenotype in autism. In the future, testing for face memory could be used to stratify autistic individuals into genetically meaningful subgroups and be translatable to autism animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Minio-Paluello
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Porciello
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Guttmann Brain Health Institute, Institut Guttmann de Neurorehabilitació, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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33
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Sex-Specific Vasopressin Signaling Buffers Stress-Dependent Synaptic Changes in Female Mice. J Neurosci 2020; 40:8842-8852. [PMID: 33051356 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1026-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In many species, social networks provide benefit for both the individual and the collective. In addition to transmitting information to others, social networks provide an emotional buffer for distressed individuals. Our understanding about the cellular mechanisms that contribute to buffering is poor. Stress has consequences for the entire organism, including a robust change in synaptic plasticity at glutamate synapses onto corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). In females, however, this stress-induced metaplasticity is buffered by the presence of a naive partner. This buffering may be because of discrete behavioral interactions, signals in the context in which the interaction occurs (i.e., olfactory cues), or it may be influenced by local signaling events in the PVN. Here, we show that local vasopressin (VP) signaling in PVN buffers the short-term potentiation (STP) at glutamate synapses after stress. This social buffering of metaplasticity, which requires the presence of another individual, was prevented by pharmacological inhibition of the VP 1a receptor (V1aR) in female mice. Exogenous VP mimicked the effects of social buffering and reduced STP in CRHPVN neurons from females but not males. These findings implicate VP as a potential mediator of social buffering in female mice.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In many organisms, including rodents and humans, social groups are beneficial to overall health and well-being. Moreover, it is through these social interactions that the harmful effects of stress can be mitigated, a phenomenon known as social buffering. In the present study, we describe a critical role for the neuropeptide vasopressin (VP) in social buffering of synaptic metaplasticity in stress-responsive corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in female mice. These effects of VP do not extend to social buffering of stress behaviors, suggesting this is a very precise and local form of sex-specific neuropeptide signaling.
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Xu M, Minagawa Y, Kumazaki H, Okada KI, Naoi N. Prefrontal Responses to Odors in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Functional NIRS Measurement Combined With a Fragrance Pulse Ejection System. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:523456. [PMID: 33132871 PMCID: PMC7579723 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.523456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are impaired not only in social competencies but also in sensory perception, particularly olfaction. The olfactory ability of individuals with ASD has been examined in several psychophysical studies, but the results have been highly variable, which might be primarily due to methodological difficulties in the control of odor stimuli (e.g., the problem of lingering scents). In addition, the neural correlates of olfactory specificities in individuals with ASD remain largely unknown. To date, only one study has investigated this issue using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The present study utilized a sophisticated method-a pulse ejection system-to present well-controlled odor stimuli to participants with ASD using an ASD-friendly application. With this advantageous system, we examined their odor detection, identification, and evaluation abilities and measured their brain activity evoked by odors using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). As the odor detection threshold (DT) of participants with ASD was highly variable, these participants were divided into two groups according to their DT: an ASD-Low DT group and an ASD-High DT group. Behavioral results showed that the ASD-High DT group had a significantly higher DT than the typically developing (control) group and the ASD-Low DT group, indicating their insensitivity to the tested odors. In addition, while there was no significant difference in the odor identification ability between groups, there was some discrepancy between the groups' evaluations of odor pleasantness. The brain data identified, for the first time, that neural activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was significantly weaker in the ASD-High DT group than in the control group. Moreover, the strength of activity in the right DLPFC was negatively correlated with the DT. These findings suggest that participants with ASD have impairments in the higher-order function of olfactory processing, such as olfactory working memory and/or attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdi Xu
- Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Center of Life-Span Development of Communication Skills, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasuyo Minagawa
- Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Center of Life-Span Development of Communication Skills, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan.,Global Centre for Advanced Research on Logic and Sensibility, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Ken-Ichi Okada
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Nozomi Naoi
- Global Centre for Advanced Research on Logic and Sensibility, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Arts and Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
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Rozenkrantz L, Weissgross R, Weiss T, Ravreby I, Frumin I, Shushan S, Gorodisky L, Reshef N, Holzman Y, Pinchover L, Endevelt-Shapira Y, Mishor E, Soroka T, Finkel M, Tagania L, Ravia A, Perl O, Furman-Haran E, Carp H, Sobel N. Unexplained repeated pregnancy loss is associated with altered perceptual and brain responses to men's body-odor. eLife 2020; 9:e55305. [PMID: 32988456 PMCID: PMC7524551 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian olfaction and reproduction are tightly linked, a link less explored in humans. Here, we asked whether human unexplained repeated pregnancy loss (uRPL) is associated with altered olfaction, and particularly altered olfactory responses to body-odor. We found that whereas most women with uRPL could identify the body-odor of their spouse, most control women could not. Moreover, women with uRPL rated the perceptual attributes of men's body-odor differently from controls. These pronounced differences were accompanied by an only modest albeit significant advantage in ordinary, non-body-odor-related olfaction in uRPL. Next, using structural and functional brain imaging, we found that in comparison to controls, most women with uRPL had smaller olfactory bulbs, yet increased hypothalamic response in association with men's body-odor. These findings combine to suggest altered olfactory perceptual and brain responses in women experiencing uRPL, particularly in relation to men's body-odor. Whether this link has any causal aspects to it remains to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Rozenkrantz
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reut Weissgross
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Weiss
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Inbal Ravreby
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Idan Frumin
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sagit Shushan
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Lior Gorodisky
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Netta Reshef
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yael Holzman
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Pinchover
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaara Endevelt-Shapira
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eva Mishor
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Timna Soroka
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maya Finkel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liav Tagania
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Ravia
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ofer Perl
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Howard Carp
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Noam Sobel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
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Abstract
The elucidation of odour awareness in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is important. We compared the odour awareness of young children with ASD with those of typical development (TD) children using the Children's Olfactory Behavior in Everyday Life (COBEL) questionnaire, which is a self-report measure that mainly assesses odour awareness. Forty-five young boys (aged 5-6 years), including 20 children with ASD and 25 TD children, participated in this study. The total COBEL score of the young children with ASD was lower than that of the TD children (p < 0.01). Moreover, the total COBEL score was significantly correlated with the total VABS II score (p < 0.05). Our results improve understanding of the odour awareness in children with ASD.
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Haigh SM, Endevelt-Shapira Y, Behrmann M. Trial-to-Trial Variability in Electrodermal Activity to Odor in Autism. Autism Res 2020; 13:2083-2093. [PMID: 32860323 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal trial-to-trial variability (TTV) has been identified as a key feature of neural processing that is related to increased symptom severity in autism. The majority of studies evaluating TTV have focused on cortical processing. However, identifying whether similar atypicalities are evident in the peripheral nervous system will help isolate perturbed mechanisms in autism. The current study focuses on TTV in responses from the peripheral nervous system, specifically from electrodermal activity (EDA). We analyzed previously collected EDA data from 17 adults with autism and 19 neurotypical controls who viewed faces while being simultaneously exposed to fear (fear-induced sweat) and neutral odors. Average EDA peaks were significantly smaller and TTV was reduced in the autism group compared to controls, particularly during the fear odor condition. Amplitude and TTV were positively correlated in both groups, but the relationship was stronger in the control group. In addition, TTV was reduced in those with higher Autism Quotient scores but only for the individuals with autism. These findings confirm the existing results that atypical TTV is a key feature of autism and that it reflects symptom severity, although the smaller TTV in EDA contrasts with the previous findings of greater TTV in cortical responses. Identifying the relationship between cortical and peripheral TTV in autism is key for furthering our understanding of autism physiology. LAY SUMMARY: We compared the changes in electrodermal activity (EDA) to emotional faces over the course of repeated faces in adults with autism and their matched controls. The faces were accompanied by smelling fear-inducing odors. We found smaller and less variable responses to the faces in autism when smelling fear odors, suggesting that the peripheral nervous system may be more rigid. These findings were exaggerated in those who had more severe autism-related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Haigh
- Department of Psychology and Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | | | - Marlene Behrmann
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Barros F, Soares SC. Giving meaning to the social world in autism spectrum disorders: Olfaction as a missing piece of the puzzle? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:239-250. [PMID: 32562688 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Altered social cognition is a core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These impairments have been explained as the consequence of compromised social motivational mechanisms that limit social interest and activate a cascade of social deficits. Following this rational, we argue that approaches capable of surpassing ASD usual restraints (e.g., deficits in verbal abilities), and able to assign social meaning, could be more effective at responding to these difficulties. In this framework, we propose that olfaction, as well as cross-modal integration strategies involving both visual and olfactory domains, may have such potential. In fact, most of socioemotional processing deficits in ASD have been shown in an uni-modal perspective, mainly with visual stimuli. However, the social environment involves other modalities and is typically multisensorial. Given the potential of olfaction as a gateway for socioemotional information in ASD, we argue in favor of studying olfactory perception, as well as visuo-olfactory integration, given the potential of these approaches to drive effective interventions and give the access to a meaningful social world in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Barros
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; William James Center for Research (WJCR), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sandra C Soares
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; William James Center for Research (WJCR), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 9, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Perl O, Mishor E, Ravia A, Ravreby I, Sobel N. Are humans constantly but subconsciously smelling themselves? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190372. [PMID: 32306875 PMCID: PMC7209943 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
All primates, including humans, engage in self-face-touching at very high frequency. The functional purpose or antecedents of this behaviour remain unclear. In this hybrid review, we put forth the hypothesis that self-face-touching subserves self-smelling. We first review data implying that humans touch their faces at very high frequency. We then detail evidence from the one study that implicated an olfactory origin for this behaviour: This evidence consists of significantly increased nasal inhalation concurrent with self-face-touching, and predictable increases or decreases in self-face-touching as a function of subliminal odourant tainting. Although we speculate that self-smelling through self-face-touching is largely an unconscious act, we note that in addition, humans also consciously smell themselves at high frequency. To verify this added statement, we administered an online self-report questionnaire. Upon being asked, approximately 94% of approximately 400 respondents acknowledged engaging in smelling themselves. Paradoxically, we observe that although this very prevalent behaviour of self-smelling is of concern to individuals, especially to parents of children overtly exhibiting self-smelling, the behaviour has nearly no traction in the medical or psychological literature. We suggest psychological and cultural explanations for this paradox, and end in suggesting that human self-smelling become a formal topic of investigation in the study of human social olfaction. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Noam Sobel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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40
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Olfaction is a Marker of Severity but Not Diagnosis in Anorexia Nervosa: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Neuropsychol Rev 2020; 30:251-266. [DOI: 10.1007/s11065-020-09438-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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41
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Barbano MF, Wang HL, Zhang S, Miranda-Barrientos J, Estrin DJ, Figueroa-González A, Liu B, Barker DJ, Morales M. VTA Glutamatergic Neurons Mediate Innate Defensive Behaviors. Neuron 2020; 107:368-382.e8. [PMID: 32442399 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) has dopamine, GABA, and glutamate neurons, which have been implicated in reward and aversion. Here, we determined whether VTA-glutamate or -GABA neurons play a role in innate defensive behavior. By VTA cell-type-specific genetic ablation, we found that ablation of glutamate, but not GABA, neurons abolishes escape behavior in response to threatening stimuli. We found that escape behavior is also decreased by chemogenetic inhibition of VTA-glutamate neurons and detected increases in activity in VTA-glutamate neurons in response to the threatening stimuli. By ultrastructural and electrophysiological analysis, we established that VTA-glutamate neurons receive a major monosynaptic glutamatergic input from the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and found that photoinhibition of this input decreases escape responses to threatening stimuli. These findings indicate that VTA-glutamate neurons are activated by and required for innate defensive responses and that information on threatening stimuli to VTA-glutamate neurons is relayed by LHA-glutamate neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Flavia Barbano
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Hui-Ling Wang
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Shiliang Zhang
- Confocal and Electron Microscopy Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Jorge Miranda-Barrientos
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - David J Estrin
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Almaris Figueroa-González
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Bing Liu
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - David J Barker
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Marisela Morales
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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Calvi E, Quassolo U, Massaia M, Scandurra A, D'Aniello B, D'Amelio P. The scent of emotions: A systematic review of human intra- and interspecific chemical communication of emotions. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01585. [PMID: 32212329 PMCID: PMC7218249 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The sense of olfaction has been considered of minor importance in human communication. In recent years, evidence has emerged that humans might be influenced by unconscious messages sent through chemosignals in body odors. Data concerning the ability of humans to recognize fear, maybe related to the evolutionary role of these emotions in the fight-or-flight reactions, are well known. METHODS To further understand the role of emotional chemosignals in mediating communication in humans and its influence on animal behaviors, we conducted a systematic literature review. RESULTS Chemosignals derived from axillary odors collected under a variety of emotional stimuli and sad tears in humans affect receivers' social interactions, danger detection and risk-taking behavior, social aspects of eating, and performance under stressing conditions. In addition, beyond the fight-or-flight response, even the body odors of happiness can be perceived by others. Furthermore, human chemosignals can influence behaviors and stressful responses in animals, particularly dogs and horses, which may partially explain their special relationship with humans. CONCLUSION Our review highlights the importance of chemosignaling in human intra- and interspecific interactions and suggests the need for further investigations, both in physiological conditions and in patients with psychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Calvi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Quassolo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Anna Scandurra
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Biagio D'Aniello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia D'Amelio
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Geriatric Rehabilitation, CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Ferdenzi C, Richard Ortegón S, Delplanque S, Baldovini N, Bensafi M. Interdisciplinary challenges for elucidating human olfactory attractiveness. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190268. [PMID: 32306873 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species use chemicals to communicate. In humans, there is increasing evidence that chemicals conveyed by the body are extremely important in interpersonal relationships. However, many aspects of chemical communication remain to be explored to fully understand this function in humans. The aim of this article is to identify relevant challenges in this field, with a focus on human attractiveness in the context of reproduction, and to put forward roadmaps for future studies that will hopefully extend to a wider range of social interactions. The first challenge consists in not being limited to body (mal)odours from the axilla. Preliminary data on how the odour of the face and head is perceived are presented. Second, there is a crucial need to increase our knowledge of the chemical bases of human chemical communication. Third, cross-cultural approaches must not be overlooked, because they have a major input in understanding the universal and culture-specific aspects of chemical communication. Fourth, the influence of specific cultural practices such as contraceptive and fragrance use is likely to be prominent and, therefore, needs to be well described. The fifth and last challenge for research projects in this field is the integration of different disciplines such as behavioural sciences, social sciences, neurosciences and microbiology. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Ferdenzi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Stéphane Richard Ortegón
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Sylvain Delplanque
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Baldovini
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, F-06108 Nice, France
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
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Fu L, Wang Y, Fang H, Xiao X, Xiao T, Li Y, Li C, Wu Q, Chu K, Xiao C, Ke X. Longitudinal Study of Brain Asymmetries in Autism and Developmental Delays Aged 2–5 Years. Neuroscience 2020; 432:137-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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45
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Federici A, Parma V, Vicovaro M, Radassao L, Casartelli L, Ronconi L. Anomalous Perception of Biological Motion in Autism: A Conceptual Review and Meta-Analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4576. [PMID: 32165647 PMCID: PMC7067769 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its popularity, the construct of biological motion (BM) and its putative anomalies in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not completely clarified. In this article, we present a meta-analysis investigating the putative anomalies of BM perception in ASD. Through a systematic literature search, we found 30 studies that investigated BM perception in both ASD and typical developing peers by using point-light display stimuli. A general meta-analysis including all these studies showed a moderate deficit of individuals with ASD in BM processing, but also a high heterogeneity. This heterogeneity was explored in different additional meta-analyses where studies were grouped according to levels of complexity of the BM task employed (first-order, direct and instrumental), and according to the manipulation of low-level perceptual features (spatial vs. temporal) of the control stimuli. Results suggest that the most severe deficit in ASD is evident when perception of BM is serving a secondary purpose (e.g., inferring intentionality/action/emotion) and, interestingly, that temporal dynamics of stimuli are an important factor in determining BM processing anomalies in ASD. Our results question the traditional understanding of BM anomalies in ASD as a monolithic deficit and suggest a paradigm shift that deconstructs BM into distinct levels of processing and specific spatio-temporal subcomponents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Federici
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
- MoMiLab Research Unit, IMT School of Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca, Italy
| | - Valentina Parma
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michele Vicovaro
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Radassao
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Casartelli
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy.
| | - Luca Ronconi
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy.
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Li A, Rao X, Zhou Y, Restrepo D. Complex neural representation of odour information in the olfactory bulb. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2020; 228:e13333. [PMID: 31188539 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The most important task of the olfactory system is to generate a precise representation of odour information under different brain and behavioural states. As the first processing stage in the olfactory system and a crucial hub, the olfactory bulb plays a key role in the neural representation of odours, encoding odour identity, intensity and timing. Although the neural circuits and coding strategies used by the olfactory bulb for odour representation were initially identified in anaesthetized animals, a large number of recent studies focused on neural representation of odorants in the olfactory bulb in awake behaving animals. In this review, we discuss these recent findings, covering (a) the neural circuits for odour representation both within the olfactory bulb and the functional connections between the olfactory bulb and the higher order processing centres; (b) how related factors such as sniffing affect and shape the representation; (c) how the representation changes under different states; and (d) recent progress on the processing of temporal aspects of odour presentation in awake, behaving rodents. We highlight discussion of the current views and emerging proposals on the neural representation of odorants in the olfactory bulb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Xiaoping Rao
- Center of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological systems, Wuhan institute of Physics and Mathematics Chinese Academy of Science Wuhan China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China
| | - Diego Restrepo
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora Colorado
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Quintana P, Nolet K, Baus O, Bouchard S. The Effect of Exposure to Fear-Related Body Odorants on Anxiety and Interpersonal Trust Toward a Virtual Character. Chem Senses 2019; 44:683-692. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjz063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A growing body of literature documents how exposure to another person's fear-related body odorants can increase one's own anxiety and interfere with processing of social information, such as facial expression and impression formation. Building on these results, we aimed to 1) test the hypothesis that exposure to fear-related odorant would affect impression formation through fear contagion and 2) verify whether these effects can be observed in an ecologically valid (i.e., virtual) environment. We proposed that exposure to fear-related odorant would cause receivers to feel more anxious, which in turn would lead them to report less trust toward an unknown virtual character. This study had 2 distinct phases. First, we collected perspiration odorants from the armpits of 12 male senders (i.e., the source of the odorant) during the viewing of either fear or joy inducing film clips. In the second phase, 53 women receivers were exposed to either a fear, joy, or neutral odorant (i.e., between-subjects design) by breathing through a gauze attached to a disposable respirator mask while immersed in a virtual bar. As expected, receivers exposed to fear odorants felt significantly more stressed. Mediation analysis also revealed an indirect effect of exposure on trust through anxiety. More specifically, the more anxious the receiver felt, the less she trusted the virtual character. Our results show for the first time that the impact of exposure to fear-related body odorants on negative interpersonal impression formation is mediated by the anxiety induced in the receiver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Quintana
- Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO), Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kévin Nolet
- Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO), Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
| | - Oliver Baus
- School of psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bouchard
- Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO), Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
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48
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van Nieuwenburg D, de Groot JHB, Smeets MAM. The Subtle Signaling Strength of Smells: A Masked Odor Enhances Interpersonal Trust. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1890. [PMID: 31481913 PMCID: PMC6710396 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Most everyday smells, from lavender to body odors, are complex odorant mixtures that “host” particular compounds that guide (social) behavior and motivation (biomarkers). A key element of social behavior is interpersonal trust, and building on previous research showing that (i) lavender odor can enhance trust, and that (ii) certain compounds in body odor can reduce stress in mice and humans (called “social buffering”), we examined whether a grassy-smelling compound found in both body odors and lavender, hexanal, would enhance interpersonal trust. Notably, we applied odor masking to explore whether trust could be influenced subconsciously by masked (i.e., undetectable) hexanal. In Study 1 (between-subjects), 90 females played a Trust Game while they either smelled hexanal (0.01% v/v), clove odor (eugenol: 10% v/v), or hexanal masked by clove odor (a mix of the former). As a sign of higher trust, participants gave more money to a trustee while exposed to masked hexanal (vs. the mask: eugenol). In Study 2 (within-subjects, double-blind), another sample of 35 females smelled the same three odors, while they rated the trustworthiness of a spectrum of faces that varied on trustworthiness. Controlling for subjective odor intensity and pleasantness and substantiating that masked hexanal could not be distinguished from the mask, faces were perceived as more trustworthy during exposure to masked hexanal (vs. the mask: eugenol). Whereas non-masked hexanal also increased face trustworthiness ratings, these effects disappeared after controlling for the odor’s subjective intensity and pleasantness. The combined results bring new evidence that trust can be enhanced implicitly via undetected smells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan van Nieuwenburg
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jasper H B de Groot
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Monique A M Smeets
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Zhou G, Lane G, Cooper SL, Kahnt T, Zelano C. Characterizing functional pathways of the human olfactory system. eLife 2019; 8:47177. [PMID: 31339489 PMCID: PMC6656430 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The central processing pathways of the human olfactory system are not fully understood. The olfactory bulb projects directly to a number of cortical brain structures, but the distinct networks formed by projections from each of these structures to the rest of the brain have not been well-defined. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging and k-means clustering to parcellate human primary olfactory cortex into clusters based on whole-brain functional connectivity patterns. Resulting clusters accurately corresponded to anterior olfactory nucleus, olfactory tubercle, and frontal and temporal piriform cortices, suggesting dissociable whole-brain networks formed by the subregions of primary olfactory cortex. This result was replicated in an independent data set. We then characterized the unique functional connectivity profiles of each subregion, producing a map of the large-scale processing pathways of the human olfactory system. These results provide insight into the functional and anatomical organization of the human olfactory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
| | - Gregory Lane
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
| | - Shiloh L Cooper
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
| | - Thorsten Kahnt
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.,Department of Psychology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Christina Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
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Koehler L, Fournel A, Albertowski K, Roessner V, Gerber J, Hummel C, Hummel T, Bensafi M. Impaired Odor Perception in Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Associated with Decreased Activity in Olfactory Cortex. Chem Senses 2019; 43:627-634. [PMID: 30219913 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjy051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized by atypical sensory functioning in the visual, tactile, and auditory systems. Although less explored, olfactory changes have been reported in ASD patients. To explore these changes on a neural level, 18 adults with ASD and 18 healthy neurotypical controls were examined in a 2-phase study. Participants were first tested for odor threshold and odor identification. Then, (i) structural magnetic resonance (MR) images of the olfactory bulb were acquired, and (ii) a functional MR imaging olfaction study was conducted. ASD patients exhibited decreased function for odor thresholds and odor identification; this was accompanied by a relatively decreased activation in the piriform cortex. In conclusion, these findings suggest, that the known alterations in olfaction in ASD are rooted in the primary olfactory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Koehler
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - A Fournel
- CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, University Lyon, France
| | - K Albertowski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - V Roessner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - J Gerber
- Department of Neuroradiology, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - C Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - T Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - M Bensafi
- CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, University Lyon, France
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