Species, sex and individual differences in the vasotocin/vasopressin system: Relationship to neurochemical signaling in the social behavior neural network

Albers, H. Elliott

doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.07.001

Cited by 165 publications

(159 citation statements)

References 328 publications

(420 reference statements)

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“…The present data reinforce previous work indicating that the AH is a critical element within the neural circuitry controlling agonistic behavior (15,(39)(40)(41). Not only do 5-HT and AVP fibers project to this region (39,42), the present data demonstrate that activation of 5-HT and AVP cell bodies are associated with acquisition of dominance in a sex-dependent manner.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Serotonin and arginine–vasopressin mediate sex differences in the regulation of dominance and aggression by the social brain

Terranova

Song

Larkin

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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There are profound sex differences in the incidence of many psychiatric disorders. Although these disorders are frequently linked to social stress and to deficits in social engagement, little is known about sex differences in the neural mechanisms that underlie these phenomena. Phenotypes characterized by dominance, competitive aggression, and active coping strategies appear to be more resilient to psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared with those characterized by subordinate status and the lack of aggressiveness. Here, we report that serotonin (5-HT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) act in opposite ways in the hypothalamus to regulate dominance and aggression in females and males. Hypothalamic injection of a 5-HT1a agonist stimulated aggression in female hamsters and inhibited aggression in males, whereas injection of AVP inhibited aggression in females and stimulated aggression in males. Striking sex differences were also identified in the neural mechanisms regulating dominance. Acquisition of dominance was associated with activation of 5-HT neurons within the dorsal raphe in females and activation of hypothalamic AVP neurons in males. These data strongly indicate that there are fundamental sex differences in the neural regulation of dominance and aggression. Further, because systemically administered fluoxetine increased aggression in females and substantially reduced aggression in males, there may be substantial gender differences in the clinical efficacy of commonly prescribed 5-HT-active drugs such as selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors. These data suggest that the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as PTSD may be more effective with the use of 5-HT-targeted drugs in females and AVP-targeted drugs in males.hamster | gender differences | agonistic | social behavior | fluoxetine P rominent sex differences occur in the incidence, development, and clinical course of many psychiatric disorders. Women, for example, have higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), whereas men more frequently suffer from autism and attention deficit disorders (1-4). Because little is known about sex differences in the efficacy of treatments for these disorders, current treatment strategies are largely the same for both sexes. The development of effective treatments for both women and men can proceed with a clear understanding of sex differences in the mechanisms and etiology of psychiatric disorders. Many of these disorders are linked to deficits in adaptive social skills (5, 6); therefore, understanding the neural mechanisms underlying social engagement in both sexes is essential. In most mammalian species, social interactions among both sexes are governed by dominance relationships. As such, behaviors associated with these relationships (e.g., social recognition, stress, competitive aggression) are the foundation for social interactions and are highly relevant for understanding psychiatric disorders (7-9). Emerging genetic and environmental...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Serotonin and arginine–vasopressin mediate sex differences in the regulation of dominance and aggression by the social brain

Terranova

Song

Larkin

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…Next, interpretations of the functional effects of oxytocin must take into account cross-reactivity of oxytocin with other peptide receptors, including those for vasopressin (Albers 2015). At high levels oxytocin might stimulate vasopressin receptors, with effects that are contradictory to those typically attributed to oxytocin (Carter 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction of oxytocin level and past depression may predict postpartum depressive symptom severity

Massey

Schuette

Pournajafi-Nazarloo

et al. 2016

Arch Womens Ment Health

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Purpose We examined plasma oxytocin concentration and postpartum depression (PPD) symptom severity in women who were not depressed during pregnancy, and whether this differed by major depressive disorder (MDD) history. Methods We assessed psychiatric history and plasma oxytocin in 66 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester (M = 35 ± 3 weeks) and depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum (M = 5.9 ± 0.8 weeks). Linear regression analysis was used to examine oxytocin and PPD symptom severity, and moderation of oxytocin and PPD by past MDD. Results Women with (n = 13) and without (n = 53) past MDD differed in third trimester depressive symptom severity, but not oxytocin level, demographic factors or birth outcomes. Controlling for third trimester depressive symptoms, oxytocin level was unrelated to PPD symptom severity [B(SE) = −.019(.084); β = −.025; t = −.227; p = .821]. However, oxytocin level interacted with past MDD to predict PPD symptom severity [(B(SE) = 7.489(2.429); β = .328; t = 3.084; p = .003]. Higher oxytocin predicted greater PPD symptom severity in women with past MDD (p = .019), but not in women without (p = .216). Conclusions Replication in a larger sample and methodologic challenges are discussed.

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“…In mammals, the neuroanatomical organization of OT-producing and AVP-producing neurons and their axonal projections throughout the brain are largely conserved, while the distributions of their target receptors — oxytocin receptor (OTR) and arginine-vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) — vary greatly both within and across species [6,7]. Evolutionary plasticity in these systems is thought to have contributed to the diverse sociality observed in nature [7–9].…”

Section: Social Neuropeptides In Pair Bondingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurobiological mechanisms of social attachment and pair bonding

Johnson

Young

2015

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences

153

138

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Species have evolved diverse social behavior and mating strategies in response to selective forces in their environments. While promiscuity is the predominant mating strategy across most vertebrate taxa, convergent evolution of monogamous mating systems has occurred multiple times across distant lineages. Monogamous behavior is thought to be facilitated by a neurobiological capacity to form and maintain selective social attachments, or pair bonds, with a mating partner. The neural mechanisms of pair bonding behavior have been investigated most rigorously in Microtine rodents, which exhibit diverse social organizations. These studies have highlighted mesolimbic dopamine pathways, social neuropeptides (oxytocin and vasopressin), and other neural systems as integral factors in the formation, maintenance, and expression of pair bonds.

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Species, sex and individual differences in the vasotocin/vasopressin system: Relationship to neurochemical signaling in the social behavior neural network

Cited by 165 publications

References 328 publications

Serotonin and arginine–vasopressin mediate sex differences in the regulation of dominance and aggression by the social brain

Serotonin and arginine–vasopressin mediate sex differences in the regulation of dominance and aggression by the social brain

Interaction of oxytocin level and past depression may predict postpartum depressive symptom severity

Neurobiological mechanisms of social attachment and pair bonding

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