High doses of oxytocin cause sedation and low doses cause an anxiolytic-like effect in male rats

Uvnäs‐Moberg, Kerstin; Ahlénius, Sven; Hillegaart, Viveka; Alster, Pawel

doi:10.1016/0091-3057(94)90462-6

Cited by 232 publications

(129 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…OCD patients without tics present more contamination worries, washing behavior and symptoms, predominantly related to anxiety 84 and increased levels of OT in CSF. 24 As OT has anxiolytic properties, 13,85 we suggest that contamination worries and washing behaviors correlate to functional failure of the 'intended' anxiolytic action, but not of the compulsion circuitry, of the oxytocinergic system. Additional experimental and clinical data concerning this question would clarify the possible mechanism underlying OCD clinical subtypes, such as those suggested here.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

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Neuroanatomical and cellular substrates of hypergrooming induced by microinjection of oxytocin in central nucleus of amygdala, an experimental model of compulsive behavior

et al. 2007

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Oxytocin (OT) is a neurosecretory nonapeptide synthesized in hypothalamic cells that project to the neurohypophysis as well as to widely distributed sites in the central nervous system. Central OT microinjections induce a variety of cognitive, sexual, reproductive, grooming and affiliative behaviors in animals. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) includes a range of cognitive and behavioral symptoms that bear some relationship with OT. Here, we study the neuroanatomical and cellular substrates of the hypergrooming induced by administration of OT in the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA). In this context, this hypergrooming is considered as a model of compulsive behavior. Our data suggest a link between the CeA and the hypothalamic grooming area (HGA). The HGA includes parts of the paraventricular nucleus and the dorsal hypothalamic area. Our data on colocalization of OT (immunohistochemistry for peptide), OT receptor (binding assay) and its retrogradely labeled cells after Fluoro-Gold injection in the CeA suggest that CeA and connections are important substrates of the circuit underlying this OT-dependent compulsive behavioral pattern.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Additionally, OT seems to act as an amnesic, 11 antidepressant, 12 anxiolytic 8,13,14 and antinociceptive 15 neuropeptide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroanatomical and cellular substrates of hypergrooming induced by microinjection of oxytocin in central nucleus of amygdala, an experimental model of compulsive behavior

et al. 2007

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“…Whether this deficit represents a consequence of reduced OT remains to be determined. Several studies have described the potential anxiolytic or antistress effects of central OT administration in rats (Uvnas-Moberg et al, 1994), mice (McCarthy, 1996;McCarthy et al, 1996), and squirrel monkeys (Winslow and Insel, 1991a, b). However, it is not clear that these exogenous elevations of OT are related to differences in endogenous OT described here.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rearing Effects on Cerebrospinal Fluid Oxytocin Concentration and Social Buffering in Rhesus Monkeys

Winslow

Noble

Lyons

et al. 2002

Neuropsychopharmacol

293

204

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Mother-reared (MR) and nursery-reared (NR) male rhesus monkeys exhibit profound and persistent differences in social and emotional behavior. Compared to MR animals, NR monkeys show reduced reciprocal social behaviors and increased agonistic behavior and high levels of stereotypy. Cerebrospinal fluid oxytocin (CSF OT) in NR monkeys was significantly reduced compared to MR monkeys measured at 18, 24, and 36 months of age. Correlations between OT and individual social behavioral profiles measured across rearing conditions also revealed a significant association between OT and the expression of affiliative social behaviors including allogrooming and reciprocal intermale mounting at each age examined. In contrast, CSF vasopressin levels did not differ according to rearing history, but did correlate with fearful behaviors independent of rearing history. Differential rearing was not associated with differences in basal or stressrelated plasma cortisol, although these levels did progressively decline as monkeys matured. MR but not NR monkeys were able to use a social companion to buffer their response to a stressor, but OT levels did not appear to be sensitive to the presence of a social companion in either group. These results are consistent with earlier reports from studies of rodents suggesting an important role for central OT pathways in the development of social affiliation.

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“…Following peripheral [84] or central [85] administration, an anxiolytic-like effect has been described in rats. Oxytocin infused into the central nucleus of the amygdala, but not the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, was anxiolytic indicating brain region-specific effects [86].…”

Section: Oxytocinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropeptides and Anxiety-Related Behavior.

Landgraf

2001

Endocr J

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High doses of oxytocin cause sedation and low doses cause an anxiolytic-like effect in male rats

Cited by 232 publications

References 11 publications

Neuroanatomical and cellular substrates of hypergrooming induced by microinjection of oxytocin in central nucleus of amygdala, an experimental model of compulsive behavior

Neuroanatomical and cellular substrates of hypergrooming induced by microinjection of oxytocin in central nucleus of amygdala, an experimental model of compulsive behavior

Rearing Effects on Cerebrospinal Fluid Oxytocin Concentration and Social Buffering in Rhesus Monkeys

Neuropeptides and Anxiety-Related Behavior.

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