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Schaedeli Stark F, Chavanne C, Derks M, Jolling K, Lagraauw HM, Lindbom L, Prins K, Silber Baumann HE. A population pharmacokinetics model of balovaptan to support dose selection in adult and pediatric populations. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 2024; 51:227-242. [PMID: 38308741 PMCID: PMC11136808 DOI: 10.1007/s10928-023-09898-0] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Balovaptan is a brain-penetrating vasopressin receptor 1a antagonist previously investigated for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of balovaptan was developed, initially to assist clinical dosing for adult and pediatric ASD studies and subsequently for new clinical indications including malignant cerebral edema (MCE) and post-traumatic stress disorder. The final model incorporates one-compartment disposition and describes time- and dose-dependent non-linear PK through empirical drug binding and a gut extraction component with turnover. An age effect on clearance observed in children was modeled by an asymptotic function that predicts adult-equivalent exposures at 40% of the adult dose for children aged 2-4 years, 70% for 5-9 years, and at the full adult dose for ≥ 10 years. The model was adapted for intravenous (IV) balovaptan dosing and combined with in vitro and ex vivo pharmacodynamic data to simulate brain receptor occupancy as a guide for dosing in a phase II trial of MCE prophylaxis after acute ischemic stroke. A sequence of three stepped-dose daily infusions of 50, 25 and 15 mg over 30 or 60 min was predicted to achieve a target occupancy of ≥ 80% in ≥ 95% of patients over a 3-day period. This model predicts both oral and IV balovaptan exposure across a wide age range and will be a valuable tool to analyze and predict its PK in new indications and target populations, including pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Schaedeli Stark
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Clarisse Chavanne
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Derks
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Welwyn, Roche Products Ltd, Hexagon Place, 6 Falcon Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1TW, UK
| | - Koen Jolling
- qPharmetra LLC, Kwakkenbergweg 39, 6523MK, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lars Lindbom
- qPharmetra LLC, Kwakkenbergweg 39, 6523MK, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Klaas Prins
- qPharmetra LLC, Kwakkenbergweg 39, 6523MK, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hanna E Silber Baumann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
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Lee S, Cheong Y, Ryu Y, Kosaka H, Jung M. Vasotocin receptor gene genotypes moderate the relationship between cortical thickness and sensory processing. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:356. [PMID: 37990008 PMCID: PMC10663457 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02657-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory processing is the process by which the central nervous system gathers, interprets, and regulates sensory stimuli in response to environmental cues. However, our understanding of the genetic factors and neuroanatomical correlations that influence sensory processing is limited. The vasotocin system modulates sensory input responsiveness, making it a potential candidate for further investigation. Additionally, human neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that the ability to modulate sensory stimuli is related to neuroanatomical features such as cortical thickness. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between functional polymorphisms in vasotocin receptor (VTR) genes, sensory profiles, and neuroanatomical correlations. We used structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) questionnaire in 98 healthy adult participants to assess sensory processing and identified seven single nucleotide polymorphisms. We found that A-allele carriers of rs1042615 in VTR had higher scores for "sensory sensitivity" and "sensation avoiding". Moreover, higher scores for three AASP subscales were associated with decreased cortical thickness in various regions, including the right precentral, paracentral, and fusiform gyri, as well as bilateral inferior temporal gyri. This study sheds light on the potential role of genetic variations in the VTR in modulating sensory processing and correlation with cortical thickness which has future implications for better understanding sensory abnormalities in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonkyoung Lee
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjeon Cheong
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeseul Ryu
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hirotaka Kosaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan.
| | - Minyoung Jung
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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Wilczyński KM, Stasik A, Cichoń L, Auguściak-Duma A, Janas-Kozik M. Polymorphisms in Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Genes as a Factor Shaping the Clinical Picture and the Risk of ASD in Males. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040689. [PMID: 37190654 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders affecting virtually every population, regardless of their ethnic or socioeconomic background. Their pathogenesis is multifactorial, based on interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The key symptom of ASD are deficits in social communication, which are the basis of many difficulties in everyday functioning. The aim of the presented study was to analyze the clinical picture of social cognition deficits in boys with autism spectrum disorders and to relate its elements with the frequency of alleles of selected polymorphisms within the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) genes. The study included 58 boys with IQ > 90, who were divided into two groups based on a confirmed or excluded ASD diagnosis based on the DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria and then using the ADOS-2 protocol. The results indicated that polymorphism rs10877969 (T) within the AVPR1a gene was the only one to show a statistically significant association with a higher risk of autism spectrum disorders and has an impact on clinical presentation in the ADOS-2 study, primarily in terms of the social affect subscale. Polymorphisms in the OXTR gene showed no significant association with ASD risk and severity of autistic traits in the ADOS-2 study. In the group of people with ASD and those who are neurotypical, the rs53572 (A) genotype in the OXTR gene significantly increased the severity of the clinical picture of social cognition disorders in reading mind in the eyes test (RMiE) and empathy quotient (EQ) studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof M Wilczyński
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy SUM, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children's and Family Health Center, sp. z o.o, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Stasik
- John Paul II Children's and Family Health Center, sp. z o.o, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Lena Cichoń
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy SUM, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children's and Family Health Center, sp. z o.o, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | | | - Małgorzata Janas-Kozik
- Department of Developmental Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy SUM, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
- John Paul II Children's and Family Health Center, sp. z o.o, 41-218 Sosnowiec, Poland
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Khani P, Ansari Dezfouli M, Nasri F, Rahemi M, Ahmadloo S, Afkhami H, Saeidi F, Tereshchenko S, Bigdeli MR, Modarressi MH. Genetic and epigenetic effects on couple adjustment in context of romantic relationship: A scoping systematic review. Front Genet 2023; 14:1002048. [PMID: 36816018 PMCID: PMC9937082 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1002048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Couples' relationships defined by a complex interaction between the two partners and their intrapersonal traits. Romantic; relationships and love are associated with marital satisfaction and stability, as well as couples' happiness and health. Personality traits influence romantic relationships and, personality influenced by genetical and non-genetically factors. The roles of non-genetically factors such as socioeconomic position and external appearance have revealed in determining the quality of romantic relationships. Methods: We; performed a scoping systematic review to assess the association between genetics and epigenetic factors and romantic relationship. Relevant articles were identified by PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and the APA PsycInfo searching between inception and 4 June 2022. Results: Different studies evaluated the associated polymorphisms in 15 different genes or chromosomal regions. In the first step; we classified them into four groups: (1) Oxytocin-related signaling pathway (OXTR, CD38, and AVPR1A); (2) Serotonin-related signaling pathway (SLC6A4, HTR1A, and HTR2A); (3) Dopamine and catecholamine-related signaling pathway (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4, ANKK1, and COMT); and (4) other genes (HLA, GABRA2, OPRM1, and Y-DNA haplogroup D-M55). Then, we evaluated and extracted significant polymorphisms that affect couple adjustment and romantic relationships. Discussion: Overall, the findings suggest that genetic and epigenetics variants play a key role in marital adjustment and romantic relationships over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouria Khani
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Ansari Dezfouli
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Nasri
- Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rahemi
- Department of stem cell technology and tissue regeneration, Faculty of Science, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salma Ahmadloo
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran,Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Afkhami
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzane Saeidi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sergey Tereshchenko
- Research Institute of Medical Problems of the North, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Krasnoyarsk, Russia,*Correspondence: Sergey Tereshchenko, ; Mohammad Reza Bigdeli, ; Mohammad Hossein Modarressi,
| | - Mohammad Reza Bigdeli
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran,Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Sergey Tereshchenko, ; Mohammad Reza Bigdeli, ; Mohammad Hossein Modarressi,
| | - Mohammad Hossein Modarressi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Sergey Tereshchenko, ; Mohammad Reza Bigdeli, ; Mohammad Hossein Modarressi,
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Haider A, Xiao Z, Xia X, Chen J, Van RS, Kuang S, Zhao C, Rong J, Shao T, Ramesh P, Aravind A, Shao Y, Ran C, Young LJ, Liang SH. Development of a triazolobenzodiazepine-based PET probe for subtype-selective vasopressin 1A receptor imaging. Pharmacol Res 2021; 173:105886. [PMID: 34536549 PMCID: PMC8581590 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To enable non-invasive real-time quantification of vasopressin 1A (V1A) receptors in peripheral organs, we sought to develop a suitable PET probe that would allow specific and selective V1A receptor imaging in vitro and in vivo. METHODS We synthesized a high-affinity and -selectivity ligand, designated compound 17. The target structure was labeled with carbon-11 and tested for its utility as a V1A-targeted PET tracer by cell uptake studies, autoradiography, in vivo PET imaging and ex vivo biodistribution experiments. RESULTS Compound 17 (PF-184563) and the respective precursor for radiolabeling were synthesized in an overall yield of 49% (over 7 steps) and 40% (over 8 steps), respectively. An inhibitory constant of 0.9 nM towards the V1A receptors was measured, while excellent selectivity over the related V1B, V2 and OT receptor (IC50 >10,000 nM) were obtained. Cell uptake studies revealed considerable V1A binding, which was significantly reduced in the presence of V1A antagonists. Conversely, there was no significant blockade in the presence of V1B and V2 antagonists. In vitro autoradiography and PET imaging studies in rodents indicated specific tracer binding mainly in the liver. Further, the pancreas, spleen and the heart exhibited specific binding of [11C]17 ([11C]PF-184563) by ex vivo biodistribution experiments. CONCLUSION We have developed the first V1A-targeted PET ligand that is suitable for subtype-selective receptor imaging in peripheral organs including the liver, heart, pancreas and spleen. Our findings suggest that [11C]PF-184563 can be a valuable tool to study the role of V1A receptors in liver diseases, as well as in cardiovascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Haider
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Zhiwei Xiao
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Xiaotian Xia
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jiahui Chen
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Richard S Van
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, United States
| | - Shi Kuang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, United States
| | - Chunyu Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Jian Rong
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Tuo Shao
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | | | | | - Yihan Shao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, United States
| | - Chongzhao Ran
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, United States
| | - Larry J Young
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United Stated
| | - Steven H Liang
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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Derks M, Lennon-Chrimes S, Guenther A, Squassante L, Wandel C, Szczesny P, Paehler A, Kletzl H. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile of balovaptan, a selective, brain-penetrant vasopressin 1a receptor antagonist, in healthy volunteers. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:893-901. [PMID: 34176392 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1948009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Balovaptan is a potent, selective vasopressin 1a receptor antagonist. The early-phase pharmacokinetics (PK) of balovaptan are reported. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Two Phase 1 studies (overall N = 93) assessed single- and multiple-dose balovaptan PK in healthy adults. One (N = 16) assessed absolute oral bioavailability (10 mg or 50 mg) vs a [13C]-balovaptan microdose. The other (N = 77) explored single- (0.5-76 mg) and multiple-dose (14 days; 12-52 mg/day) - randomized 6:2 balovaptan:placebo per dose - PK, dose proportionality, and the effect of food on single-dose (32 mg) Cmax and AUCinf. RESULTS Absolute balovaptan bioavailability was high (103-116%). Steady-state (Day 14) balovaptan PK was approximately dose proportional with a half-life of 45-47 hours, but single-dose Cmax increased more than dose proportionally and half-life was inversely dose-proportional - a discordance partially attributable to a dose-and-time-dependent volume of distribution. Accumulation (Day 1-Day 14) was inversely dose-proportional (~3.5 [12 mg] to ~1.8 [52 mg]). There was no relevant effect of a high-fat meal on single-dose balovaptan exposure. There were no safety signals: 2/93 subjects discontinued for adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Balovaptan was well tolerated at single (≤76 mg) and multiple (≤52 mg/day) doses, with a PK profile supportive of once-daily administration without food restrictions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03764449; NCT01418963.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Derks
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Welwyn, Roche Products Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, UK
| | - Sian Lennon-Chrimes
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Welwyn, Roche Products Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, UK
| | - Andreas Guenther
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Squassante
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Wandel
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Piotr Szczesny
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Axel Paehler
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Heidemarie Kletzl
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
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7
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Szeleczky Z, Szakács Z, Bozó É, Baska F, Vukics K, Lévai S, Temesvári K, Vass E, Béni Z, Krámos B, Magdó I, Szántay C, Kóti J, Domány-Kovács K, Greiner I, Bata I. Synthesis and Characterization of New V 1A Antagonist Compounds: The Separation of Four Atropisomeric Stereoisomers. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10445-10468. [PMID: 34255509 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
A new class of selective vasopressin receptor 1A (V1A) antagonists was identified, where "methyl-scan" was performed around the benzene ring of the 5-hydroxy-triazolobenzazepine core. This led to the synthesis of two 10-methyl derivatives, each possessing a chiral axis and a stereogenic center. The four atropisomeric stereoisomers (involving two enantiomer pairs and atropisomeric diastereomers) could be successfully isolated and spectroscopically characterized. According to the in vitro pharmacological profiles of the compounds, the human V1A receptor has a strong preference toward the isomers having an aR axial chirality, the most active isomer being the aR,5S isomer. Furthermore, the structure-activity relationships obtained for the isomers and for the newly synthesized analogues could be tentatively explained by an in silico study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Szeleczky
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Szakács
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | - Éva Bozó
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Baska
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | | | - Sándor Lévai
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | | | - Elemér Vass
- Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Béni
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | - Balázs Krámos
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Magdó
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | - Csaba Szántay
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | - János Kóti
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | | | - István Greiner
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
| | - Imre Bata
- Gedeon Richter Plc., 19-21 Gyömrői út, Budapest 1103, Hungary
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8
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Beccacece L, Abondio P, Cilli E, Restani D, Luiselli D. Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5397. [PMID: 34065521 PMCID: PMC8160972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Music is an exclusive feature of humankind. It can be considered as a form of universal communication, only partly comparable to the vocalizations of songbirds. Many trends of research in this field try to address music origins, as well as the genetic bases of musicality. On one hand, several hypotheses have been made on the evolution of music and its role, but there is still debate, and comparative studies suggest a gradual evolution of some abilities underlying musicality in primates. On the other hand, genome-wide studies highlight several genes associated with musical aptitude, confirming a genetic basis for different musical skills which humans show. Moreover, some genes associated with musicality are involved also in singing and song learning in songbirds, suggesting a likely evolutionary convergence between humans and songbirds. This comprehensive review aims at presenting the concept of music as a sociocultural manifestation within the current debate about its biocultural origin and evolutionary function, in the context of the most recent discoveries related to the cross-species genetics of musical production and perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Beccacece
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Paolo Abondio
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Cilli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna—Ravenna Campus, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (E.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Donatella Restani
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna—Ravenna Campus, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (E.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Donata Luiselli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna—Ravenna Campus, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (E.C.); (D.R.)
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9
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Sparapani S, Millet-Boureima C, Oliver J, Mu K, Hadavi P, Kalostian T, Ali N, Avelar CM, Bardies M, Barrow B, Benedikt M, Biancardi G, Bindra R, Bui L, Chihab Z, Cossitt A, Costa J, Daigneault T, Dault J, Davidson I, Dias J, Dufour E, El-Khoury S, Farhangdoost N, Forget A, Fox A, Gebrael M, Gentile MC, Geraci O, Gnanapragasam A, Gomah E, Haber E, Hamel C, Iyanker T, Kalantzis C, Kamali S, Kassardjian E, Kontos HK, Le TBU, LoScerbo D, Low YF, Mac Rae D, Maurer F, Mazhar S, Nguyen A, Nguyen-Duong K, Osborne-Laroche C, Park HW, Parolin E, Paul-Cole K, Peer LS, Philippon M, Plaisir CA, Porras Marroquin J, Prasad S, Ramsarun R, Razzaq S, Rhainds S, Robin D, Scartozzi R, Singh D, Fard SS, Soroko M, Soroori Motlagh N, Stern K, Toro L, Toure MW, Tran-Huynh S, Trépanier-Chicoine S, Waddingham C, Weekes AJ, Wisniewski A, Gamberi C. The Biology of Vasopressin. Biomedicines 2021; 9:89. [PMID: 33477721 PMCID: PMC7832310 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasopressins are evolutionarily conserved peptide hormones. Mammalian vasopressin functions systemically as an antidiuretic and regulator of blood and cardiac flow essential for adapting to terrestrial environments. Moreover, vasopressin acts centrally as a neurohormone involved in social and parental behavior and stress response. Vasopressin synthesis in several cell types, storage in intracellular vesicles, and release in response to physiological stimuli are highly regulated and mediated by three distinct G protein coupled receptors. Other receptors may bind or cross-bind vasopressin. Vasopressin is regulated spatially and temporally through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, sex, tissue, and cell-specific receptor expression. Anomalies of vasopressin signaling have been observed in polycystic kidney disease, chronic heart failure, and neuropsychiatric conditions. Growing knowledge of the central biological roles of vasopressin has enabled pharmacological advances to treat these conditions by targeting defective systemic or central pathways utilizing specific agonists and antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chiara Gamberi
- Biology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada; (S.S.); (C.M.-B.); (J.O.); (K.M.); (P.H.); (T.K.); (N.A.); (C.M.A.); (M.B.); (B.B.); (M.B.); (G.B.); (R.B.); (L.B.); (Z.C.); (A.C.); (J.C.); (T.D.); (J.D.); (I.D.); (J.D.); (E.D.); (S.E.-K.); (N.F.); (A.F.); (A.F.); (M.G.); (M.C.G.); (O.G.); (A.G.); (E.G.); (E.H.); (C.H.); (T.I.); (C.K.); (S.K.); (E.K.); (H.K.K.); (T.B.U.L.); (D.L.); (Y.F.L.); (D.M.R.); (F.M.); (S.M.); (A.N.); (K.N.-D.); (C.O.-L.); (H.W.P.); (E.P.); (K.P.-C.); (L.S.P.); (M.P.); (C.-A.P.); (J.P.M.); (S.P.); (R.R.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (D.R.); (R.S.); (D.S.); (S.S.F.); (M.S.); (N.S.M.); (K.S.); (L.T.); (M.W.T.); (S.T.-H.); (S.T.-C.); (C.W.); (A.J.W.); (A.W.)
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10
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Social Evolution in African Mole-Rats - A Comparative Overview. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1319:1-33. [PMID: 34424511 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-65943-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The African mole-rat superfamily are a unique group of subterranean rodents that are remarkable for their adaptations to a subterranean lifestyle and their range in sociality, spanning strictly solitary species to the naked mole-rat, the most social of all rodents. Widely distributed through sub-Saharan Africa their occurrence is associated with the presence of food resources in the form of underground roots, bulbs and tubers, which form their staple diet. African mole-rats have an ancient Oligocene/Eocene origin, with the naked mole-rat, the extant species with the earliest divergence from the common ancestor of the clade. As a consequence of its early evolution the naked mole-rat appears to have acquired many extraordinary biological features, even when compared with other mole-rats. Molecular phylogenies indicate that complex sociality and cooperative breeding has been convergently gained and/or lost more than once among African mole-rats, making them a fascinating group for comparative studies of social evolution. Ultimately, ecological constraints on digging and finding food have played a role in increasing cooperative behavior and social complexity, from what was most likely a monogamous ancestor living in family groups. Phylogenetically controlled comparisons suggest that proximate control of their lifestyle shows both conservation and divergence in the underlying mechanisms.
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11
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Baska F, Szántó G, Bozó É, Szakács Z, Dékány M, Szondiné Kordás K, Domány-Kovács K, Kurkó D, Hodoscsek B, Magdó I, Krámos B, Béni Z, Vastag M, Bata I. Discovery of New Heterocyclic Ring Systems as Novel and Potent V 1A Receptor Antagonists. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3532-3540. [PMID: 33084311 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00486] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disease with increasing occurrence. Recent studies focus on the development of novel V1A receptor antagonists which can influence the core symptoms of autism through the AVP pathway. In this study, we describe the synthesis of new heterocyclic ring systems. These are a novel class of brain-penetrating V1A antagonists with improved metabolic stability and in vivo potency. The efficacy of the compounds was strongly influenced by the position of the chlorine atom, suggesting halogen bond formation between the ligands and the V1A receptor.
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Key Words
- ASD
- CNS
- V1A receptor
- halogen bonding
- imidazo[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-c][1,3]diazepine
- imidazo[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-c][1,3]diazocine
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Baska
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Gábor Szántó
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Éva Bozó
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Szakács
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Miklós Dékány
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | | | | | - Dalma Kurkó
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Barbara Hodoscsek
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Magdó
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Balázs Krámos
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Béni
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Mónika Vastag
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
| | - Imre Bata
- Gedeon Richter Plc, Budapest 10, PO Box 27, Budapest H-1475, Hungary
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12
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López-Tobón A, Trattaro S, Testa G. The sociability spectrum: evidence from reciprocal genetic copy number variations. Mol Autism 2020; 11:50. [PMID: 32546261 PMCID: PMC7298749 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00347-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sociability entails some of the most complex behaviors processed by the central nervous system. It includes the detection, integration, and interpretation of social cues and elaboration of context-specific responses that are quintessentially species-specific. There is an ever-growing accumulation of molecular associations to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), from causative genes to endophenotypes across multiple functional layers; these however, have rarely been put in context with the opposite manifestation featured in hypersociability syndromes. Genetic copy number variations (CNVs) allow to investigate the relationships between gene dosage and its corresponding phenotypes. In particular, CNVs of the 7q11.23 locus, which manifest diametrically opposite social behaviors, offer a privileged window to look into the molecular substrates underlying the developmental trajectories of the social brain. As by definition sociability is studied in humans postnatally, the developmental fluctuations causing social impairments have thus far remained a black box. Here, we review key evidence of molecular players involved at both ends of the sociability spectrum, focusing on genetic and functional associations of neuroendocrine regulators and synaptic transmission pathways. We then proceed to propose the existence of a molecular axis centered around the paradigmatic dosage imbalances at the 7q11.23 locus, regulating networks responsible for the development of social behavior in humans and highlight the key role that neurodevelopmental models from reprogrammed pluripotent cells will play for its understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro López-Tobón
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sebastiano Trattaro
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Human Technopole, Via Cristina Belgioioso 171, Milan, Italy.
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13
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Schnider P, Bissantz C, Bruns A, Dolente C, Goetschi E, Jakob-Roetne R, Künnecke B, Mueggler T, Muster W, Parrott N, Pinard E, Ratni H, Risterucci C, Rogers-Evans M, von Kienlin M, Grundschober C. Discovery of Balovaptan, a Vasopressin 1a Receptor Antagonist for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Med Chem 2020; 63:1511-1525. [PMID: 31951127 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported the discovery of a potent, selective, and brain-penetrant V1a receptor antagonist, which was not suitable for full development. Nevertheless, this compound was found to improve surrogates of social behavior in adults with autism spectrum disorder in an exploratory proof-of-mechanism study. Here we describe scaffold hopping that gave rise to triazolobenzodiazepines with improved pharmacokinetic properties. The key to balancing potency and selectivity while minimizing P-gp mediated efflux was fine-tuning of hydrogen bond acceptor basicity. Ascertaining a V1a antagonist specific brain activity pattern by pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging in the rat played a seminal role in guiding optimization efforts, culminating in the discovery of balovaptan (RG7314, RO5285119) 1. In a 12-week clinical phase 2 study in adults with autism spectrum disorder balovaptan demonstrated improvements in Vineland-II Adaptive Behavior Scales, a secondary end point comprising communication, socialization, and daily living skills. Balovaptan entered phase 3 clinical development in August 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Schnider
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Caterina Bissantz
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Andreas Bruns
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Cosimo Dolente
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Erwin Goetschi
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Roland Jakob-Roetne
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Basil Künnecke
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Thomas Mueggler
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Muster
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Neil Parrott
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Emmanuel Pinard
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Hasane Ratni
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Céline Risterucci
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Mark Rogers-Evans
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Markus von Kienlin
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Christophe Grundschober
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
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14
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Schatz KC, Brown LM, Barrett AR, Roth LC, Grinevich V, Paul MJ. Viral rescue of magnocellular vasopressin cells in adolescent Brattleboro rats ameliorates diabetes insipidus, but not the hypoaroused phenotype. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8243. [PMID: 31160697 PMCID: PMC6546688 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44776-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated arousal often accompanies neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Recently, we have found that adolescent homozygous Brattleboro (Hom) rats, which contain a mutation in the arginine vasopressin (AVP) gene, exhibit lower behavioral arousal than their heterozygous (Het) littermates in the open field test. This hypoaroused phenotype could be due to loss of AVP in magnocellular cells that supply AVP to the peripheral circulation and project to limbic structures or parvocellular cells that regulate the stress axis and other central targets. Alternatively, hypoarousal could be a side effect of diabetes insipidus - polydipsia and polyuria seen in Hom rats due to loss of AVP facilitation of water reabsorption in the kidney. We developed a viral-rescue approach to "cure" magnocellular AVP cells of their Brattleboro mutation. Infusion of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) containing a functional Avp gene and promoter (rAAV-AVP) rescued AVP within magnocellular cells and fiber projections of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) of male and female adolescent Hom rats. Furthermore, water intake was markedly reduced, ameliorating the symptoms of diabetes insipidus. In contrast, open field activity was unaffected. These findings indicate that the hyporaoused phenotype of adolescent Hom rats is not due to the loss of AVP function in magnocellular cells or a side effect of diabetes insipidus, but favors the hypothesis that central, parvocellular AVP mechanisms underlie the regulation of arousal during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Schatz
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, 14260, NY, USA.
| | - L M Brown
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, 14260, NY, USA
| | - A R Barrett
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, 14260, NY, USA
| | - L C Roth
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Letten Centre and GliaLab, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - V Grinevich
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Schaller Group on Neuropeptides, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Department of Neuropeptide Research for Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
| | - M J Paul
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, 14260, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, 14260, NY, USA
- Evolution, Ecology and Behavior Program, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, 14260, NY, USA
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15
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Schatz KC, Martin CD, Ishiwari K, George AM, Richards JB, Paul MJ. Mutation in the vasopressin gene eliminates the sex difference in social reinforcement in adolescent rats. Physiol Behav 2019; 206:125-133. [PMID: 30951747 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide, arginine vasopressin (AVP), is thought to contribute to sex differences in normative and pathological social development by regulating social motivation. Recent studies using Brattleboro rats that have a mutation in the Avp gene, however, have suggested that AVP impacts adolescent social behaviors of males and females in a similar manner through actions on behavioral state (i.e., arousal). In the present study, we made use of a recently developed operant conditioning paradigm to test whether the chronic, lifelong AVP deficiency caused by the Brattleboro mutation impacts the reinforcement value of social stimuli during adolescence. Operant responding for access to a familiar conspecific was assessed in male and female adolescent wild type (WT; normal AVP), heterozygous Brattleboro (HET), and homozygous Brattleboro (HOM) rats. Following the social reinforcement test, rats were tested in the same operant paradigm except that the social reinforcer was replaced with a light reinforcer to determine whether effects of the Brattleboro mutation were specific to social stimuli or a general characteristic of operant conditioning. WT males directed a greater proportion of their responding toward the social and light stimuli than WT females; only males exhibited a preference for these reinforcers over unreinforced ports. The sex difference in social reinforcement was absent in HOM rats, whereas the sex difference in light reinforcement was present in all genotypes. These data indicate that adolescent males are more sensitive to the reinforcing properties of social and light stimuli, and that the sex difference in social, but not light, reinforcement depends upon normal levels of AVP. These findings support the hypothesis that AVP plays a critical role in sex differences in social development by acting on factors that influence social motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Schatz
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - C D Martin
- Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - K Ishiwari
- Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - A M George
- Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - J B Richards
- Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - M J Paul
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Evolution, Ecology and Behavior Program, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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16
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Wilczyński KM, Siwiec A, Janas-Kozik M. Systematic Review of Literature on Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Within the Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Genes in the Development of Social Cognition Dysfunctions in Individuals Suffering From Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:380. [PMID: 31214061 PMCID: PMC6554290 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is found in virtually all population groups regardless of ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds. Among others, dominant symptoms of autism persistent throughout its course of development include, inter alia, qualitative disorders of social communication and social interactions. Numerous studies have been performed on animal models as well as groups of healthy individuals to assess the potential role of oxytocinergic and vasopresynergic systems in normal social functioning. These studies have also discussed their potential participation in the development of social cognition dysfunctions in the course of ASD. This literature review aimed to identify studies examining single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptor genes and their differential effects on social cognitive dysfunction in the development of ASD. Methods: A systematic review of literature published within the last 10 years and accessible in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and APA PsycNET databases was conducted by each author separately. Inclusion criteria required that articles should 1) be published between January 2008 and August 2018; 2) be published in English or Polish; 3) be located in periodical publications; 4) focus on the role of polymorphisms within oxytocin and vasopressin receptor genes in autistic population; 5) provide a clear presentation of the applied methodology; and 6) apply proper methodology. Results: From the 491 studies qualified to the initial abstract analysis, 15 met the six inclusion criteria and were included in the full-text review. Conclusions: The analysis of available literature seems to indicate that there is an association between social cognition dysfunctions in the course of autism and selected alleles of polymorphisms within the OXT receptor AVP 1A receptor genes. However, previous studies neither specify the nature of this association in an unequivocal way nor select genotypes that are the basis for this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Maria Wilczyński
- Pediatric Centre of John Paul II in Sosnowiec Sp. z o.o., Sosnowiec, Poland.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of Developmental Age, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Andrzej Siwiec
- Pediatric Centre of John Paul II in Sosnowiec Sp. z o.o., Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Janas-Kozik
- Pediatric Centre of John Paul II in Sosnowiec Sp. z o.o., Sosnowiec, Poland.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of Developmental Age, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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17
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Schatz KC, Kyne RF, Parmeter SL, Paul MJ. Investigation of social, affective, and locomotor behavior of adolescent Brattleboro rats reveals a link between vasopressin's actions on arousal and social behavior. Horm Behav 2018; 106:1-9. [PMID: 30184461 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has recently been implicated in juvenile and adolescent social development. How AVP influences social development, however, is not understood. Adolescent homozygous Brattleboro rats (Hom), which lack AVP due to a mutation in the Avp gene, exhibit fewer active social behaviors (e.g., social play) but more passive social behaviors (e.g., huddling) than their wild type and heterozygous (Het) littermates, raising the possibility that AVP impacts social development through an arousal mechanism. Here, we test whether the atypical social phenotype of adolescent Hom rats is associated with altered behavioral arousal, social approach, or affective behaviors and whether Brattleboro mothers impact these behavioral phenotypes. Male and female Het and Hom adolescents born to Het or Hom mothers were tested in social interaction, open field, novelty-seeking, social approach, and marble burying tests. As reported previously, Hom rats played less and emitted fewer 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations while huddling more than their Het littermates. No genotype differences were detected in novelty seeking or social approach, nor were consistent differences found between offspring from Het and Hom mothers. However, Hom rats were less active in the open field and buried fewer marbles than Het rats indicating a hypoaroused, low anxiety phenotype. Open field activity correlated with levels of social play indicating that the effects of the Brattleboro mutation on arousal and social behavior are linked. These data demonstrate that chronic AVP deficiency impacts behavioral arousal during adolescence and support the hypothesis that AVP influences adolescent social development, in part, through its regulation of arousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelcie C Schatz
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
| | - Robert F Kyne
- Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
| | | | - Matthew J Paul
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA; Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA; Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Program, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
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18
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Landefeld CC, Hodgkinson CA, Spagnolo PA, Marietta CA, Shen PH, Sun H, Zhou Z, Lipska BK, Goldman D. Effects on gene expression and behavior of untagged short tandem repeats: the case of arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) and externalizing behaviors. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:72. [PMID: 29581423 PMCID: PMC5913313 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0120-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of complex, heritable, behavioral phenotypes have yielded an incomplete accounting of the genetic influences. The identified loci explain only a portion of the observed heritability, and few of the loci have been shown to be functional. It is clear that current GWAS techniques overlook key components of phenotypically relevant genetic variation, either because of sample size, as is frequently asserted, or because of methodology. Here we use arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) as an in-depth model of a methodologic limitation of GWAS: the functional genetic variation (in the form of short tandem repeats) of this key gene involved in affiliative behavior cannot be captured by current GWAS methodologies. Importantly, we find evidence of differential allele expression, twofold or more, in at least a third of human brain samples heterozygous for a reporter SNP in the AVPR1a transcript. We also show that this functional effect and a downstream phenotype, externalizing behavior, are predicted by AVPR1a STRs but not SNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare C Landefeld
- 0000 0004 0435 0569grid.254293.bCleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195 USA ,0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Colin A Hodgkinson
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Primavera A Spagnolo
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dOffice of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20852 USA
| | - Cheryl A Marietta
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Pei-Hong Shen
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Hui Sun
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Zhifeng Zhou
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Barbara K Lipska
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dHuman Brain Collection Core, National Institutes of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - David Goldman
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA. .,Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA.
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19
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Cataldo I, Azhari A, Esposito G. A Review of Oxytocin and Arginine-Vasopressin Receptors and Their Modulation of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:27. [PMID: 29487501 PMCID: PMC5816822 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) play a key regulatory part in social and affiliative behaviors; two aspects highly compromised in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Furthermore, variants in the adjacent oxytocin-vasopressin gene regions have been found to be associated with ASD diagnosis and endophenotypes. This review focuses mainly on common OXTr single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), AVPR1a microsatellites and AVPR1b polymorphisms in relation to the development of autism. Although these genes did not surface in genome-wide association studies, evidence supports the hypothesis that these receptors and their polymorphisms are widely involved in the regulation of social behavior, and in modulating neural and physiological pathways contributing to the etiology of ASD. With a specific focus on variants considered to be among the most prevalent in the development of ASD, these issues will be discussed in-depth and suggestions to approach inconsistencies in the present literature will be provided. Translational implications and future directions are deliberated from a short-term and a forward-looking perspective. While the scientific community has made significant progress in enhancing our understanding of ASD, more research is required for the ontology of this disorder to be fully elucidated. By supplementing information related to genetics, highlighting the differences across male and female sexes, this review provides a wider view of the current state of knowledge of OXTr and AVPr mechanisms of functioning, eventually addressing future research in the identification of further risk factors, to build new strategies for early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.,Mobile and Social Computing Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Atiqah Azhari
- Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.,Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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20
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Ortiz JJ, Portillo W, Paredes RG, Young LJ, Alcauter S. Resting state brain networks in the prairie vole. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1231. [PMID: 29352154 PMCID: PMC5775431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17610-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) has shown the hierarchical organization of the human brain into large-scale complex networks, referred as resting state networks. This technique has turned into a promising translational research tool after the finding of similar resting state networks in non-human primates, rodents and other animal models of great value for neuroscience. Here, we demonstrate and characterize the presence of resting states networks in Microtus ochrogaster, the prairie vole, an extraordinary animal model to study complex human-like social behavior, with potential implications for the research of normal social development, addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders. Independent component analysis of rsfMRI data from isoflurane-anestethized prairie voles resulted in cortical and subcortical networks, including primary motor and sensory networks, but also included putative salience and default mode networks. We further discuss how future research could help to close the gap between the properties of the large scale functional organization and the underlying neurobiology of several aspects of social cognition. These results contribute to the evidence of preserved resting state brain networks across species and provide the foundations to explore the use of rsfMRI in the prairie vole for basic and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Ortiz
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Queretaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Wendy Portillo
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Queretaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Raul G Paredes
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Queretaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Larry J Young
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd., Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Sarael Alcauter
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Queretaro, 76230, Mexico.
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21
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Fakhoury M. Imaging genetics in autism spectrum disorders: Linking genetics and brain imaging in the pursuit of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 80:101-114. [PMID: 28322981 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include a wide range of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions that affect an individual in several aspects of social communication and behavior. Recent advances in molecular genetic technologies have dramatically increased our understanding of ASD etiology through the identification of several autism risk genes, most of which serve important functions in synaptic plasticity and protein synthesis. However, despite significant progress in this field of research, the characterization of the neurobiological mechanisms by which common genetic risk variants might operate to give rise to ASD symptomatology has proven to be far more difficult than expected. The imaging genetics approach holds great promise for advancing our understanding of ASD etiology by bridging the gap between genetic variations and their resultant biological effects on the brain. This paper provides a conceptual overview of the contribution of genetics in ASD and discusses key findings from the emerging field of imaging genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Fakhoury
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada.
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22
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Yang SY, Kim SA, Hur GM, Park M, Park JE, Yoo HJ. Replicative genetic association study between functional polymorphisms in AVPR1A and social behavior scales of autism spectrum disorder in the Korean population. Mol Autism 2017; 8:44. [PMID: 28808521 PMCID: PMC5550983 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0161-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Arginine vasopressin has been shown to affect social and emotional behaviors, which is mediated by the arginine vasopressin receptor (AVPR1A). Genetic polymorphisms in the AVPR1A promoter region have been identified to be associated with susceptibility to social deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We hypothesize that alleles of polymorphisms in the promoter region of AVPR1A may differentially interact with certain transcriptional factors, which in turn affect quantitative traits, such as sociality, in children with autism. Methods We performed an association study between ASD and polymorphisms in the AVPR1A promoter region in the Korean population using a family-based association test (FBAT). We evaluated the correlation between genotypes and the quantitative traits that are related to sociality in children with autism. We also performed a promoter assay in T98G cells and evaluated the binding affinities of transcription factors to alleles of rs7294536. Results The polymorphisms—RS1, RS3, rs7294536, and rs10877969—were analyzed. Under the dominant model, RS1–310, the shorter allele, was preferentially transmitted. The FBAT showed that the rs7294536 A allele was also preferentially transmitted in an additive and dominant model under the bi-allelic mode. When quantitative traits were used in the FBAT, rs7294536 and rs10877969 were statistically significant in all genotype models and modes. Luciferase and electrophoretic mobility-shift assays suggest that the rs7294536 A/G allele results in a Nf-κB binding site that exhibits differential binding affinities depending on the allele. Conclusion These results demonstrate that polymorphisms in the AVPR1A promoter region might be involved in pathophysiology of ASD and in functional regulation of the expression of AVPR1A. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-017-0161-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Young Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Ae Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gang Min Hur
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mira Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Eun Park
- Animal Genomics and Bioinformatics Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Wanju, Jeonbuk Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jeong Yoo
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 173-82, Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 463-707 South Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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A Single Dose, Randomized, Controlled Proof-Of-Mechanism Study of a Novel Vasopressin 1a Receptor Antagonist (RG7713) in High-Functioning Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:1914-1923. [PMID: 27711048 PMCID: PMC5520775 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) include impaired social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. No effective pharmacotherapy for these core deficits exists. Within the domain of social communication, the vasopressin system is implicated in social cognition and social signaling deficits of ASD, and represents a potential therapeutic target. We assessed the effects of a single 20 mg intravenous dose of the arginine vasopressin receptor 1A (V1a) antagonist, RG7713, on exploratory biomarkers (eye tracking), behavioral and clinical measures of social cognition and communication (affective speech recognition (ASR), reading the mind in the eyes, olfactory identification, scripted interaction), and safety and tolerability in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of 19 high-functioning adult male subjects with DSM-IV Autistic Disorder (age 18-45 years; full scale IQ >70; ABC-Irritability subscale ⩽13). Eye-tracking showed an increase in biological motion orienting preference with RG7713 (ES=0.8, p=0.047) and a non-significant improvement in the composite score (ES=0.2, p=0.29). RG7713 reduced ability to detect lust (ES=-0.8, p=0.03) and fear (ES=-0.7, p=0.07) in ASR. However, when all eight individual emotion subscales were combined into an overall ASR performance score, the reduction was non-significant (ES=-0.1, p=0.59). Thirteen adverse events were reported in 10 subjects; all were of mild (11/13) or moderate (2/13) severity. Although interpretation should be cautious due to multiple comparisons and small sample size, these results provide preliminary evidence from experimental and behavioral biomarkers, that blockade of the V1a receptor may improve social communication in adults with high-functioning ASD. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01474278 A Study of RO5028442 in Adult Male High-Functioning Autistic Patients. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01474278.
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Mariath LM, Silva AMD, Kowalski TW, Gattino GS, Araujo GAD, Figueiredo FG, Tagliani-Ribeiro A, Roman T, Vianna FSL, Schuler-Faccini L, Schuch JB. Music genetics research: Association with musicality of a polymorphism in the AVPR1A gene. Genet Mol Biol 2017; 40:421-429. [PMID: 28534928 PMCID: PMC5488451 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2016-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Musicality is defined as a natural tendency, sensibility, knowledge, or talent to
create, perceive, and play music. Musical abilities involve a great range of social
and cognitive behaviors, which are influenced by both environmental and genetic
factors. Although a number of studies have yielded insights into music genetics
research, genes and biological pathways related to these traits are not fully
understood. Our hypothesis in the current study is that genes associated with
different behaviors could also influence the musical phenotype. Our aim was to
investigate whether polymorphisms in six genes (AVPR1A, SLC6A4, ITGB3, COMT, DRD2 and
DRD4) related to social and cognitive traits are associated with musicality in a
sample of children. Musicality was assessed through an individualized music therapy
assessment profile (IMTAP) which has been validated in Brazil to measure musical
ability. We show here that the RS1 microsatellite of the AVPR1A gene is nominally
associated with musicality, corroborating previous results linking AVPR1A with
musical activity. This study is one of the first to investigate musicality in a
comprehensive way, and it contributes to better understand the genetic basis
underlying musical ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Monteavaro Mariath
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Mauat da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Thayne Woycinck Kowalski
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Schulz Gattino
- Programa de Pos-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e Adolescente, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Andrade de Araujo
- Programa de Pos-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e Adolescente, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Felipe Grahl Figueiredo
- Programa de Pos-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e Adolescente, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Alice Tagliani-Ribeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Roman
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lavínia Schuler-Faccini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Bohrer Schuch
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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25
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Hrabovska SV, Salyha YT. Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Behavioral Techniques of their Examination. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-017-9613-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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26
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Genes Related to Oxytocin and Arginine-Vasopressin Pathways: Associations with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neurosci Bull 2017; 33:238-246. [PMID: 28283809 PMCID: PMC5360847 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-017-0120-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interactions, communication deficits, and repetitive behavior. Although the mechanisms underlying its etiology and manifestations are poorly understood, several lines of evidence from rodent and human studies suggest involvement of the evolutionarily highly-conserved oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP), as these neuropeptides modulate various aspects of mammalian social behavior. As far as we know, there is no comprehensive review of the roles of the OXT and AVP systems in the development of ASD from the genetic aspect. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding associations between ASD and single-nucleotide variants of the human OXT-AVP pathway genes OXT, AVP, AVP receptor 1a (AVPR1a), OXT receptor (OXTR), the oxytocinase/vasopressinase (LNPEP), and ADP-ribosyl cyclase (CD38).
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27
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Nishitani S, Ikematsu K, Takamura T, Honda S, Yoshiura KI, Shinohara K. Genetic variants in oxytocin receptor and arginine-vasopressin receptor 1A are associated with the neural correlates of maternal and paternal affection towards their child. Horm Behav 2017; 87:47-56. [PMID: 27743766 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There is extensive evidence in animal studies, particularly in vole species (Microtus), that oxytocin (OT) receptor and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) receptor 1a is critical for the regulation of maternal and paternal behavior, respectively. Human studies have gained insight into the relationship between both hormone receptor gene variants and behavior, but not between the variants and the underlying brain activity. To study this, we investigated the association between neural activation of the anterior prefrontal cortex (APFC) in mothers and fathers in response to their child smiling video stimuli to induce the positive affect related to attachment with their child, and genetic variants of OT receptor (OXTR) and AVP receptor 1A (AVPR1A). Overall, 43 mothers and 41 fathers participated, and each parent's child smiling was video recorded. Participants were then genotyped and underwent near-infrared spectroscopy to measure neural activation of the APFC while observing their own child smiling compared with an unfamiliar child. We found that the right inferior APFC was activated in response to child video stimuli in mothers and differential hemispheric activation of the inferior APFC in OXTR rs2254298-G/G mothers compared with -A carrier mothers, but not in fathers. Furthermore, we found a difference in the left inferior APFC activation between AVPR1A RS3-non-334 and -334 carrier fathers, but not mothers. Our results indicate a sex-dependent association between the genetic variants and the inferior APFC activations of maternal and paternal positive affect, analogous to the results reported in voles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Nishitani
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kazuya Ikematsu
- Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Tsunehiko Takamura
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Sumihisa Honda
- Department of Nursing, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8520, Japan
| | - Koh-Ichiro Yoshiura
- Department of Human Genetics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Shinohara
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
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28
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Procyshyn TL, Hurd PL, Crespi BJ. Association testing of vasopressin receptor 1a microsatellite polymorphisms in non-clinical autism spectrum phenotypes. Autism Res 2016; 10:750-756. [PMID: 27874273 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Variation in the AVPR1a gene, which codes for a receptor for the neurohormone vasopressin, has been found to relate to autism risk. Interestingly, variation in this gene also relates to differences in social behaviour in non-clinical populations. Variation in this gene may affect expression of AVPR1a receptors in brain areas involved in social behaviour. Here, we tested whether AVPR1a variation was associated with Autism Quotient (AQ) scores, a questionnaire that measures non-clinical manifestations of autism, in a population of 873 healthy university students. The AVPR1a RS1 and RS3 microsatellites were examined, and variants were categorized as "long" or "short". The RS3 long/long genotype was significantly associated with a higher AQ score (i.e., a more autistic-like phenotype) for the combined population and for females only. Further examination showed that this relationship was due to a specific RS3 variant, termed the "target allele", which previous research has linked to reduced altruism and increased marital problems in healthy individuals. We also observed that the relationship between RS3 genotype and AQ score was mainly due to the "attention switching" (the ability to shift attention from one task to another) component of the questionnaire; this ability is commonly impaired in autism spectrum disorders. Overall, our study establishes continuity between the existing AVPR1a research in clinical and non-clinical populations. Our results suggest that vasopressin may exert its effects on social behaviour in part by modulating attentional focus between social and non-social cues. Autism Res 2017, 10: 750-756. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya L Procyshyn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Peter L Hurd
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A 1S6, Canada
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29
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Francis SM, Kim SJ, Kistner-Griffin E, Guter S, Cook EH, Jacob S. ASD and Genetic Associations with Receptors for Oxytocin and Vasopressin- AVPR1A, AVPR1B, and OXTR. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:516. [PMID: 27920663 PMCID: PMC5118619 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There are limited treatments available for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies have reported significant associations between the receptor genes of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) and ASD diagnosis, as well as ASD-related phenotypes. Researchers have also found the manipulation of these systems affects social and repetitive behaviors, core characteristics of ASD. Consequently, research involving the oxytocin/vasopressin pathways as intervention targets has increased. Therefore, further examination into the relationship between these neuropeptides and ASD was undertaken. In this study, we examined associations between variants in the receptor genes of vasopressin (AVPR1A, AVPR1B), oxytocin (OXTR), and ASD diagnosis along with related subphenotypes. Methods: Probands were assessed using Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and clinical DSM-IV-TR criteria. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AVPR1B and OXTR, and microsatellites in AVPR1A were genotyped in ~200 families with a proband with ASD. Family-based association testing (FBAT) was utilized to determine associations between variants and ASD. Haplotypes composed of OXTR SNPs (i.e., rs53576-rs2254298-rs2268493) were also analyzed due to previously published associations. Results: Using the additive inheritance model in FBAT we found associations between AVPR1B SNPs (rs28632197, p = 0.005, rs35369693, p = 0.025) and diagnosis. As in other studies, OXTR rs2268493 (p = 0.050) was associated with diagnosis. rs2268493 was also associated with ASD subphenotypes of social withdrawal (p = 0.013) and Insistence on Sameness (p = 0.039). Further analyses demonstrated that the haplotype, rs2254298–rs2268493 was found to be significantly associated with diagnosis (A-T; p = 0.026). FBAT was also used to analyze AVPR1A microsatellites (RS1 and RS3). Both length variants were found to be associated with restrictive, repetitive behaviors, but not overall diagnosis. Correction for multiple comparisons was performed for SNPs tested in each gene region, only AVPR1B SNPs remained significantly associated with ASD diagnosis. Conclusions: Autism is a heterogeneous disorder with many genes and pathways that contribute to its development. SNPs and microsatellites in the receptor genes of OT and AVP are associated with ASD diagnosis and measures of social behavior as well as restricted repetitive behaviors. We reported a novel association with ASD and AVPR1B SNPs. Understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships may be helpful in the development of pharmacological interventions for the OT/AVP system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunday M Francis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Soo-Jeong Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington WA, USA
| | - Emily Kistner-Griffin
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Stephen Guter
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Juvenile Research, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Edwin H Cook
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Juvenile Research, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Suma Jacob
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Abstract
In a recent issue of Politics and the Life Sciences Mark Walker presented a compelling proposition for reducing evil in the world via an interdisciplinary program he calls the "Genetic Virtue Project" (GVP). As Walker explains, the purpose of the GVP is "to discover and enhance human ethics using biotechnology genetic correlates of virtuous behavior." PLS subsequently published several critiques of this proposal. While most of these critiques focused on conventional doubts about the technical feasibility or the ethics of such interventions, the more fundamental concern revealed by both Walker's proposal and its critiques is in the largely unquestioned assumption that more morality is necessarily better. Human history is marked by a gradual if uneven extension of moral concern to increasingly distant others, which many take as evidence of the rationality of morality. There is substantial evidence, though, that this expansion is fundamentally biological in origin and therefore not ultimately limited by rationality. Because these expanding moral feelings feel so good to us, we are incapable of perceiving the danger from their ever-expanding focus, in particular from the sincere but increasingly maladaptive collective policies they will engender. Utilizing the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche as a platform, the feasibility of different natural and cultural responses to this impending crisis of caring are examined, none of which are found capable of counteracting this expanding morality. Instead, the best hope for a successful response to this dangerous expansion of caring is actually a sort of reverse GVP, in which the biological mechanisms for this unchecked moral expansion are manipulated via genetic engineering to dial back this expansion. However, the likelihood of actually implementing such an admittedly counterintuitive and controversial program within an increasingly democratized world is doubtful. Ultimately, if we are unable to overcome this betrayal by our best intentions, where does that leave us as a species?
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Affiliation(s)
- Shea Robison
- Department of Political Science, Idaho State University, Graveley Hall, Pocatello, ID 83209,
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31
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Blum K, Simpatico T, Febo M, Rodriquez C, Dushaj K, Li M, Braverman ER, Demetrovics Z, Oscar-Berman M, Badgaiyan RD. Hypothesizing Music Intervention Enhances Brain Functional Connectivity Involving Dopaminergic Recruitment: Common Neuro-correlates to Abusable Drugs. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:3753-3758. [PMID: 27246565 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this review is to explore the clinical significance of music listening on neuroplasticity and dopaminergic activation by understanding the role of music therapy in addictive behavior treatment. fMRI data has shown that music listening intensely modifies mesolimbic structural changes responsible for reward processing (e.g., nucleus accumbens [NAc]) and may control the emotional stimuli's effect on autonomic and physiological responses (e.g., hypothalamus). Music listening has been proven to induce the endorphinergic response blocked by naloxone, a common opioid antagonist. NAc opioid transmission is linked to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine release. There are remarkable commonalities between listening to music and the effect of drugs on mesolimbic dopaminergic activation. It has been found that musical training before the age of 7 results in changes in white-matter connectivity, protecting carriers with low dopaminergic function (DRD2A1 allele, etc.) from poor decision-making, reward dependence, and impulsivity. In this article, we briefly review a few studies on the neurochemical effects of music and propose that these findings are relevant to the positive clinical findings observed in the literature. We hypothesize that music intervention enhances brain white matter plasticity through dopaminergic recruitment and that more research is needed to explore the efficacy of these therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Department of Psychiatry & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Box 100183, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0183, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry and Human Global Mental Health Institute, Center for Clinical & Translational Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA. .,Division of Neuroscience -Based Therapy, Summit Estate Recovery Center, Las Gatos, CA, USA. .,Division of Addition Services, Dominion Diagnostics, LLC, North Kingstown, RI, USA. .,PATH Foundation NY, New York, NY, USA. .,IGENE, LLC, Austin, TX, USA. .,Division of Applied Clinical Research, Dominion Diagnostics, LLC, North Kingstown, RI, USA. .,Department of Clinical Psychology and Addiction, Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. .,Division of Neuroscience Research & Addiction Therapy, Shores Treatment & Recovery Center, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA.
| | - Thomas Simpatico
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Global Mental Health Institute, Center for Clinical & Translational Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Box 100183, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0183, USA
| | | | | | - Mona Li
- PATH Foundation NY, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Addiction, Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marlene Oscar-Berman
- Departments of Psychiatry and Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rajendra D Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Neuromodulation Program, University of Minnesota Twin City Campus, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Laboratory of Advanced Radiochemistry, University of Minnesota Twin City Campus, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Kim KC, Gonzales EL, Lázaro MT, Choi CS, Bahn GH, Yoo HJ, Shin CY. Clinical and Neurobiological Relevance of Current Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2016; 24:207-43. [PMID: 27133257 PMCID: PMC4859786 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2016.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication impairments, as well as repetitive and restrictive behaviors. The phenotypic heterogeneity of ASD has made it overwhelmingly difficult to determine the exact etiology and pathophysiology underlying the core symptoms, which are often accompanied by comorbidities such as hyperactivity, seizures, and sensorimotor abnormalities. To our benefit, the advent of animal models has allowed us to assess and test diverse risk factors of ASD, both genetic and environmental, and measure their contribution to the manifestation of autistic symptoms. At a broader scale, rodent models have helped consolidate molecular pathways and unify the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying each one of the various etiologies. This approach will potentially enable the stratification of ASD into clinical, molecular, and neurophenotypic subgroups, further proving their translational utility. It is henceforth paramount to establish a common ground of mechanistic theories from complementing results in preclinical research. In this review, we cluster the ASD animal models into lesion and genetic models and further classify them based on the corresponding environmental, epigenetic and genetic factors. Finally, we summarize the symptoms and neuropathological highlights for each model and make critical comparisons that elucidate their clinical and neurobiological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Chan Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Edson Luck Gonzales
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - María T Lázaro
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Chang Soon Choi
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Geon Ho Bahn
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jeong Yoo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bungdang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.,School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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Wang J, Qin W, Liu F, Liu B, Zhou Y, Jiang T, Yu C. Sex-specific mediation effect of the right fusiform face area volume on the association between variants in repeat length of AVPR1A RS3 and altruistic behavior in healthy adults. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 37:2700-9. [PMID: 27027249 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsatellite variants in the arginine vasopressin receptor 1A gene (AVPR1A) RS3 have been associated with normal social behaviors variation and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in a sex-specific manner. However, neural mechanisms underlying these associations remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that AVPR1A RS3 variants affect altruistic behavior by modulating the gray matter volume (GMV) of specific brain regions in a sex-specific manner. We investigated 278 young healthy adults using the Dictator Game to assess altruistic behavior. All subjects were genotyped and main effect of AVPR1A RS3 repeat polymorphisms and interaction of genotype-by-sex on the GMV were assessed in a voxel-wise manner. We observed that male subjects with relatively short repeats allocated less money to others and exhibited a significantly smaller GMV in the right fusiform face area (FFA) compared with male long homozygotes. In male subjects, the GMV of the right FFA exhibited a significant positive correlation with altruistic behavior. A mixed mediation and moderation analysis further revealed both a significant mediation effect of the GMV of the right FFA on the association between AVPR1A RS3 repeat polymorphisms and allocation sums and a significant moderation effect of sex (only in males) on the mediation effect. Post hoc analysis showed that the GMV of the right FFA was significantly smaller in male subjects carrying allele 426 than in non-426 carriers. These results suggest that the GMV of the right FFA may be a potential mediator whereby the genetic variants in AVPR1A RS3 affect altruistic behavior in healthy male subjects. Hum Brain Mapp 37:2700-2709, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Wang
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Qin
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Center for Social and Economic Behavior, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunshui Yu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Feldman R, Monakhov M, Pratt M, Ebstein RP. Oxytocin Pathway Genes: Evolutionary Ancient System Impacting on Human Affiliation, Sociality, and Psychopathology. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 79:174-84. [PMID: 26392129 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), a nonapeptide signaling molecule originating from an ancestral peptide, appears in different variants across all vertebrate and several invertebrate species. Throughout animal evolution, neuropeptidergic signaling has been adapted by organisms for regulating response to rapidly changing environments. The family of OT-like molecules affects both peripheral tissues implicated in reproduction, homeostasis, and energy balance, as well as neuromodulation of social behavior, stress regulation, and associative learning in species ranging from nematodes to humans. After describing the OT-signaling pathway, we review research on the three genes most extensively studied in humans: the OT receptor (OXTR), the structural gene for OT (OXT/neurophysin-I), and CD38. Consistent with the notion that sociality should be studied from the perspective of social life at the species level, we address human social functions in relation to OT-pathway genes, including parenting, empathy, and using social relationships to manage stress. We then describe associations between OT-pathway genes with psychopathologies involving social dysfunctions such as autism, depression, or schizophrenia. Human research particularly underscored the involvement of two OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs53576, rs2254298) with fewer studies focusing on other OXTR (rs7632287, rs1042778, rs2268494, rs2268490), OXT (rs2740210, rs4813627, rs4813625), and CD38 (rs3796863, rs6449197) single nucleotide polymorphisms. Overall, studies provide evidence for the involvement of OT-pathway genes in human social functions but also suggest that factors such as gender, culture, and early environment often confound attempts to replicate first findings. We conclude by discussing epigenetics, conceptual implications within an evolutionary perspective, and future directions, especially the need to refine phenotypes, carefully characterize early environments, and integrate observations of social behavior across ecological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Feldman
- Department of Psychology (RF, MP) Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel; Gonda Brain Sciences Center (RF), Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
| | - Mikhail Monakhov
- Department of Psychology (MM, RPE), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maayan Pratt
- Department of Psychology (RF, MP) Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Richard P Ebstein
- Department of Psychology (MM, RPE), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Caldwell HK, Albers HE. Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and the Motivational Forces that Drive Social Behaviors. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2016; 27:51-103. [PMID: 26472550 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2015_390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The motivation to engage in social behaviors is influenced by past experience and internal state, but also depends on the behavior of other animals. Across species, the oxytocin (Oxt) and vasopressin (Avp) systems have consistently been linked to the modulation of motivated social behaviors. However, how they interact with other systems, such as the mesolimbic dopamine system, remains understudied. Further, while the neurobiological mechanisms that regulate prosocial/cooperative behaviors have been extensively examined, far less is understood about competitive behaviors, particularly in females. In this chapter, we highlight the specific contributions of Oxt and Avp to several cooperative and competitive behaviors and discuss their relevance to the concept of social motivation across species, including humans. Further, we discuss the implications for neuropsychiatric diseases and suggest future areas of investigation.
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Cacioppo JT, Amaral DG, Blanchard JJ, Cameron JL, Carter CS, Crews D, Fiske S, Heatherton T, Johnson MK, Kozak MJ, Levenson RW, Lord C, Miller EK, Ochsner K, Raichle ME, Shea MT, Taylor SE, Young LJ, Quinn KJ. Social Neuroscience: Progress and Implications for Mental Health. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2015; 2:99-123. [PMID: 26151956 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6916.2007.00032.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Social neuroscience is a new, interdisciplinary field devoted to understanding how biological systems implement social processes and behavior. Social neuroscience capitalizes on biological concepts and methods to inform and refine theories of social behavior, and it uses social and behavioral constructs and data to inform and refine theories of neural organization and function. We focus here on the progress and potential of social neuroscience in the area of mental health. Research in social neuroscience has grown dramatically in recent years. Among the most active areas of research we found are brain-imaging studies in normal children and adults; animal models of social behavior; studies of stroke patients; imaging studies of psychiatric patients; and research on social determinants of peripheral neural, neuroendocrine, and immunological processes. We also found that these areas of research are proceeding along largely independent trajectories. Our goals in this article are to review the development of this field, examine some currently promising approaches, identify obstacles and opportunities for future advances and integration, and consider how this research can inform work on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
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Chen JA, Peñagarikano O, Belgard TG, Swarup V, Geschwind DH. The emerging picture of autism spectrum disorder: genetics and pathology. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2015; 10:111-44. [PMID: 25621659 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-012414-040405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by impaired social interaction and communication accompanied by stereotyped behaviors and restricted interests. Although ASD is common, its genetic and clinical features are highly heterogeneous. A number of recent breakthroughs have dramatically advanced our understanding of ASD from the standpoint of human genetics and neuropathology. These studies highlight the period of fetal development and the processes of chromatin structure, synaptic function, and neuron-glial signaling. The initial efforts to systematically integrate findings of multiple levels of genomic data and studies of mouse models have yielded new clues regarding ASD pathophysiology. This early work points to an emerging convergence of disease mechanisms in this complex and etiologically heterogeneous disorder.
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38
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Association between AVPR1A, DRD2, and ASPM and endophenotypes of communication disorders. Psychiatr Genet 2015; 24:191-200. [PMID: 24849541 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Speech sound disorder (SSD) is one of the most common communication disorders, with a prevalence rate of 16% at 3 years of age, and an estimated 3.8% of children still presenting speech difficulties at 6 years of age. Several studies have identified promising associations between communication disorders and genes in brain and neuronal pathways; however, there have been few studies focusing on SSD and its associated endophenotypes. On the basis of the hypothesis that neuronal genes may influence endophenotypes common to communication disorders, we focused on three genes related to brain and central nervous system functioning: the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene, the arginine-vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1A) gene, and the microcephaly-associated protein gene (ASPM). METHODS We examined the association of these genes with key endophenotypes of SSD - phonological memory measured through multisyllabic and nonword repetition, vocabulary measured using the Expressive One Word Picture Vocabulary Test and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, and reading decoding measured using the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests Revised - as well as with the clinical phenotype of SSD. We genotyped tag single nucleotide polymorphisms in these genes and examined 498 individuals from 180 families. RESULTS These data show that several single nucleotide polymorphisms in all three genes were associated with phonological memory, vocabulary, and reading decoding, with P less than 0.05. Notably, associations in AVPR1A (rs11832266) were significant after multiple testing correction. Gene-level tests showed that DRD2 was associated with vocabulary, ASPM with vocabulary and reading decoding, and AVPR1A with all three endophenotypes. CONCLUSION Endophenotypes common to SSD, language impairment, and reading disability are all associated with these neuronal pathway genes.
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Zietsch BP, Westberg L, Santtila P, Jern P. Genetic analysis of human extrapair mating: heritability, between-sex correlation, and receptor genes for vasopressin and oxytocin. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kantojärvi K, Oikkonen J, Kotala I, Kallela J, Vanhala R, Onkamo P, Järvelä I. Association and Promoter Analysis of AVPR1A in Finnish Autism Families. Autism Res 2015; 8:634-9. [PMID: 25707602 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The arginine vasopressin receptor 1A gene (AVPR1A) is known to affect social communication and has been reported to associate with autism in several studies. Given that the microsatellite RS1 and a few SNPs in the promoter region of the AVPR1A have repeatedly associated with several traits, including autism it is rather surprising that the molecular explanation for these associations has remained unknown, although it has been reported that the allele length of the AVPR1A microsatellites might affect disease risk. Here we carried out an extended association analysis of three microsatellites and 12 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and around the AVPR1A gene in 205 Finnish families followed by promoter analysis. FBAT version v2.0.3 was used for family-based genetic association analyses of AVPR1A microsatellites and SNPs. The nearby microsatellite RS1 was found to harbor the best association. Interestingly, there are two potentially relevant transcription factor (TF) binding sites at RS1: for MEF2C and PBX, predicted with the Match algorithm in the TRANSFAC database. Sequence variations changing the affinity of these TFs might partly explain the AVPR1A promoter region associations shown in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katri Kantojärvi
- From the Department of Medical Genetics, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Oikkonen
- From the Department of Medical Genetics, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilona Kotala
- From the Department of Medical Genetics, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Kallela
- From the Department of Medical Genetics, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Raija Vanhala
- The Department of Child Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (R.V.)
| | - Päivi Onkamo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Irma Järvelä
- From the Department of Medical Genetics, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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41
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Tabak BA, Meyer ML, Castle E, Dutcher JM, Irwin MR, Han JH, Lieberman MD, Eisenberger NI. Vasopressin, but not oxytocin, increases empathic concern among individuals who received higher levels of paternal warmth: A randomized controlled trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 51:253-61. [PMID: 25462898 PMCID: PMC4268337 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Empathy improves our ability to communicate in social interactions and motivates prosocial behavior. The neuropeptides arginine vasopressin and oxytocin play key roles in socioemotional processes such as pair bonding and parental care, which suggests that they may be involved in empathic processing. METHODS We investigated how vasopressin and oxytocin affect empathic responding in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, between-subjects study design. We also examined the moderating role of parental warmth, as reported in the early family environment, on empathic responding following vasopressin, oxytocin, or placebo administration. RESULTS Among participants who reported higher levels of paternal warmth (but not maternal warmth), vasopressin (vs. placebo and oxytocin) increased ratings of empathic concern after viewing distressing and uplifting videos. No main or interaction effects were found for individuals who received oxytocin. CONCLUSIONS Vasopressin has a role in enhancing empathy among individuals who received higher levels of paternal warmth. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01680718.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. Tabak
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Corresponding author: UCLA Department of Psychology, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563. Phone: (310) 825-2961,
| | - Meghan L. Meyer
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Elizabeth Castle
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Janine M. Dutcher
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael R. Irwin
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Semel Institute for Neuroscience, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jung H. Han
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
| | - Matthew D. Lieberman
- Department of Psychology, University of California – Los Angeles, CA,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles, CA
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Uzefovsky F, Shalev I, Israel S, Edelman S, Raz Y, Mankuta D, Knafo-Noam A, Ebstein RP. Oxytocin receptor and vasopressin receptor 1a genes are respectively associated with emotional and cognitive empathy. Horm Behav 2015; 67:60-5. [PMID: 25476609 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Empathy is the ability to recognize and share in the emotions of others. It can be considered a multifaceted concept with cognitive and emotional aspects. Little is known regarding the underlying neurochemistry of empathy and in the current study we used a neurogenetic approach to explore possible brain neurotransmitter pathways contributing to cognitive and emotional empathy. Both the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and the arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) genes contribute to social cognition in both animals and humans and hence are prominent candidates for contributing to empathy. The following research examined the associations between polymorphisms in these two genes and individual differences in emotional and cognitive empathy in a sample of 367 young adults. Intriguingly, we found that emotional empathy was associated solely with OXTR, whereas cognitive empathy was associated solely with AVPR1a. Moreover, no interaction was observed between the two genes and measures of empathy. The current findings contribute to our understanding of the distinct neurogenetic pathways involved in cognitive and emotional empathy and underscore the pervasive role of both oxytocin and vasopressin in modulating human emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Uzefovsky
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91501, Israel; Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - I Shalev
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - S Israel
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91501, Israel
| | - S Edelman
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91501, Israel
| | - Y Raz
- Neurobiology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - D Mankuta
- Hadassah Medical Organization, Department of Labor and Delivery, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - A Knafo-Noam
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91501, Israel
| | - R P Ebstein
- Psychology Department, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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43
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Bucy EP. A catastrophe of caring? Politics Life Sci 2014; 33:1-2. [PMID: 25514520 DOI: 10.2990/33_1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Shen C, Huo LR, Zhao XL, Wang PR, Zhong N. Novel Interactive Partners of Neuroligin 3: New Aspects for Pathogenesis of Autism. J Mol Neurosci 2014; 56:89-101. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-014-0470-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Molecular variation in AVP and AVPR1a in New World monkeys (Primates, Platyrrhini): evolution and implications for social monogamy. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111638. [PMID: 25360668 PMCID: PMC4216101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurohypophysial hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays important roles in fluid regulation and vascular resistance. Differences in AVP receptor expression, particularly mediated through variation in the noncoding promoter region of the primary receptor for AVP (AVPR1a), may play a role in social phenotypes, particularly social monogamy, in rodents and humans. Among primates, social monogamy is rare, but is common among New World monkeys (NWM). AVP is a nonapeptide and generally conserved among eutherian mammals, although a recent paper demonstrated that some NWM species possess a novel form of the related neuropeptide hormone, oxytocin. We therefore characterized variation in the AVP and AVPR1a genes in 22 species representing every genus in the three major platyrrhine families (Cebidae, Atelidae and Pitheciidae). For AVP, a total of 16 synonymous substitutions were detected in 15 NWM species. No non-synonymous substitutions were noted, hence, AVP is conserved in NWM. By contrast, relative to the human AVPR1a, 66 predicted amino acids (AA) substitutions were identified in NWM. The AVPR1a N-terminus (ligand binding domain), third intracellular (G-protein binding domain), and C-terminus were variable among species. Complex evolution of AVPR1a is also apparent in NWM. A molecular phylogenetic tree inferred from AVPR1a coding sequences revealed some consensus taxonomic separation by families, but also a mixed group composed of genera from all three families. The overall dN/dS ratio of AVPR1a was 0.11, but signals of positive selection in distinct AVPR1a regions were observed, including the N-terminus, in which we identified six potential positive selection sites. AA substitutions at positions 241, 319, 399 and 409 occurred uniquely in marmosets and tamarins. Our results enhance the appreciation of genetic diversity in the mammalian AVP/AVPR1a system, and set the stage for molecular modeling of the neurohypophyseal hormones and social behavior in primates.
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Wade M, Hoffmann TJ, Jenkins JM. Association between the arginine vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) gene and preschoolers’ executive functioning. Brain Cogn 2014; 90:116-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Charles R, Sakurai T, Takahashi N, Elder GA, Gama Sosa MA, Young LJ, Buxbaum JD. Introduction of the human AVPR1A gene substantially alters brain receptor expression patterns and enhances aspects of social behavior in transgenic mice. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:1013-22. [PMID: 24924430 PMCID: PMC4107330 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.017053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Central arginine vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) modulates a wide range of behaviors, including stress management and territorial aggression, as well as social bonding and recognition. Inter- and intra-species variations in the expression pattern of AVPR1A in the brain and downstream differential behavioral phenotypes have been attributed to differences in the non-coding regions of the AVPR1A gene, including polymorphic elements within upstream regulatory areas. Gene association studies have suggested a link between AVPR1A polymorphisms and autism, and AVPR1A has emerged as a potential pharmacological target for treatment of social cognitive impairments and mood and anxiety disorders. To further investigate the genetic mechanism giving rise to species differences in AVPR1A expression patterns and associated social behaviors, and to create a preclinical mouse model useful for screening drugs targeting AVPR1A, we engineered and extensively characterized bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice harboring the entire human AVPR1A locus with the surrounding regulatory elements. Compared with wild-type animals, the humanized mice displayed a more widely distributed ligand-AVPR1A binding pattern, which overlapped with that of primates. Furthermore, humanized AVPR1A mice displayed increased reciprocal social interactions compared with wild-type animals, but no differences in social approach and preference for social novelty were observed. Aspects of learning and memory, specifically novel object recognition and spatial relocation recognition, were unaffected. The biological alterations in humanized AVPR1A mice resulted in the rescue of the prepulse inhibition impairments that were observed in knockout mice, indicating conserved functionality. Although further behavioral paradigms and additional cohorts need to be examined in humanized AVPR1A mice, the results demonstrate that species-specific variations in the genomic content of regulatory regions surrounding the AVPR1A locus are responsible for differential receptor protein expression patterns across species and that they are likely to contribute to species-specific behavioral variation. The humanized AVPR1A mouse is a potential preclinical model for further understanding the regulation of receptor gene expression and the impact of variation in receptor expression on behaviors, and should be useful for screening drugs targeting human AVPR1A, taking advantage of the expression of human AVPR1A in human-relevant brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda Charles
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nagahide Takahashi
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Gregory A Elder
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Neurology Service, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Miguel A Gama Sosa
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Research and Development Service, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Larry J Young
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA Friedman Brain Institute and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Patrick RP, Ames BN. Vitamin D hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: relevance for autism. FASEB J 2014; 28:2398-413. [PMID: 24558199 DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-246546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Serotonin and vitamin D have been proposed to play a role in autism; however, no causal mechanism has been established. Here, we present evidence that vitamin D hormone (calcitriol) activates the transcription of the serotonin-synthesizing gene tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) in the brain at a vitamin D response element (VDRE) and represses the transcription of TPH1 in tissues outside the blood-brain barrier at a distinct VDRE. The proposed mechanism explains 4 major characteristics associated with autism: the low concentrations of serotonin in the brain and its elevated concentrations in tissues outside the blood-brain barrier; the low concentrations of the vitamin D hormone precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D3]; the high male prevalence of autism; and the presence of maternal antibodies against fetal brain tissue. Two peptide hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, are also associated with autism and genes encoding the oxytocin-neurophysin I preproprotein, the oxytocin receptor, and the arginine vasopressin receptor contain VDREs for activation. Supplementation with vitamin D and tryptophan is a practical and affordable solution to help prevent autism and possibly ameliorate some symptoms of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda P Patrick
- Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Bruce N Ames
- Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, USA
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Rilling JK, DeMarco AC, Hackett PD, Chen X, Gautam P, Stair S, Haroon E, Thompson R, Ditzen B, Patel R, Pagnoni G. Sex differences in the neural and behavioral response to intranasal oxytocin and vasopressin during human social interaction. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 39:237-248. [PMID: 24157401 PMCID: PMC3842401 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Both oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are known to modulate social behavior, and dysfunction in both systems has been postulated as a potential cause of certain psychiatric disorders that involve social behavioral deficits. In particular, there is growing interest in intranasal OT as a potential treatment for certain psychiatric disorders, and preliminary pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest efficacy in alleviating some of the associated symptoms. However, the vast majority of research participants in these studies have been male, and there is evidence for sexually differentiated effects of nonapeptides in both humans and non-human animals. To date, no study has investigated the effect of intranasal OT on brain function in human males and females within the same paradigm. Previously, in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind fMRI study, we reported effects of intranasal OT and AVP on behavior and brain activity of human males as they played an interactive social game known as the Prisoner's Dilemma Game. Here, we present findings from an identical study in human females, and compare these with our findings from males. Overall, we find that both behavioral and neural responses to intranasal OT and AVP are highly sexually differentiated. In women, AVP increased conciliatory behavior, and both OT and AVP caused women to treat computer partners more like humans. In men, AVP increased reciprocation of cooperation from both human and computer partners. However, no specific drug effects on behavior were shared between men and women. During cooperative interactions, both OT and AVP increased brain activity in men within areas rich in OT and AVP receptors and in areas playing a key role in reward, social bonding, arousal and memory (e.g., the striatum, basal forebrain, insula, amygdala and hippocampus), whereas OT and AVP either had no effect or in some cases actually decreased brain activity in these regions in women. OT treatment rendered neural responses of males more similar to responses of females in the placebo group and vice versa, raising the prospect of an inverted u-shaped dose response to central OT levels. These findings emphasize the need to fully characterize the effects of intranasal OT and AVP in both males and females and at multiple doses before widespread clinical application will be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- James K Rilling
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, United States; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, United States; Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, United States.
| | | | | | - Xu Chen
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, United States
| | - Pritam Gautam
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, United States
| | - Sabrina Stair
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, United States
| | - Ebrahim Haroon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, United States
| | | | - Beate Ditzen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, United States; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rajan Patel
- Department of Biostatistics, Emory University, United States
| | - Giuseppe Pagnoni
- Department of Neural, Biomedical, and Metabolic Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Bachner-Melman R, Ebstein RP. The role of oxytocin and vasopressin in emotional and social behaviors. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2014; 124:53-68. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-59602-4.00004-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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