Neuromodulators, Neurogenomics, Neurogenetics Flashcards
What endocrine factors can modulate neural circuit function?
> Hormones
> Cytokines
What types of hormones modulate neural circuit function?
> Sex hormones (eg, oestrogen, testosterone)
> Stress hormones (eg, glucocorticoids)
In what ways can cytokines modulate neural circuit function?
> Inflammatory responses
> Neuro-immune interactions
What neurotransmitters have a neuromodulatory effect?
> Serotonin > Dopamine > Other biogenic amines > Acetylcholine > Neuropeptides
What do neuropeptide actions require?
Receptors of the GPCR family
What are GPCR family receptors?
seven-transmembrane receptors
What are oxytocin and vasopressin?
nonapeptides synthesised from a precursor protein. A carrier protein, neurophysin is synthesised in the same process
What are oxytocin and vasopressin?
nonapeptides synthesised from a precursor protein. A carrier protein, neurophysin is synthesised in the same process
What techniques are used to explore neuropeptide function?
> Receptor autoradiography > mRNA analysis > Immunohistochemistry > Microdialysis followed by radioimmunoassays > Exogenous administration
What are the main types of action for vasopressin and oxytocin?
> Neuroendocrine regulation
> Behaviour regulation
How can vasopressin and oxytocin have such diverse effects?
> Variation in release
Variations in receptors and signal transduction
Variations in circuits
What are the two main mechanisms of neurotransmitter release?
> Axonal terminals
> Dendrites
Where are vasopressin producing neurons located?
In the preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus
What is V1a?
A receptor that mediates vasopressin’s behavioural effects
Where is V1a expressed?
> Vascular smooth muscles > Hepatocytes > Platelets > Uterus > Brain
Where is V1b expressed?
> Anterior pituitary
> Brain
Where is V2 expressed?
> Kidney
> Liver
Where is the Oxytocin receptor expressed?
> Uterus
Mammary glands
Brain
What are the main vasopressin receptors?
> V1a
V1b
V2
What type of receptor are the vasopressin and oxytocin receptors?
G-protein couples receptors
What type of receptor are the vasopressin and oxytocin receptors?
G-protein couples receptors
How are vasopressin and oxytocin sexually dimorphic?
Wrt sex-specific functions, vasopression is active in males, and oxytocin is active in females.
What affiliation behaviours are oxytocin associated with in animals?
> Maternal behaviour
Alloparenting in females
Partner preference in females
Pair bond formation in females
What affiliation behaviours are vasopressin associated with in animals?
> Paternal behaviour
Alloparenting in males
Partner preference in males
Pair bond formation in males
What social cognitions are oxytocin associated with in animals?
Social memory
What affiliation behaviours are oxytocin associated with in humans?
> Trust, generosity and co operation
Paternal play
Partner communication
Enhances in-group preferences in men
What social cognitions are oxytocin associated with in humans?
> Facial recognition
Facial affect recognition
Enhances attention towards the eyes in men
Improves detection of social words and biological motion
What aggression behaviours are associated with oxytocin in animals?
> Maternal aggression
What aggression behaviours are associate with vasopressin in animals?
> Maternal and paternal aggression
Post-mating aggression
Intermale aggression
What aggression behaviours are associate with vasopressin in animals?
> Maternal and paternal aggression
Post-mating aggression
Intermale aggression
What aggression behaviours are associated with vasopression in humans?
> Increases hostile facial responses in men
What anxiety and stress responses are associated with oxytocin in animals?
> Inhibition of HPA response
> Anxiolysis
What anxiety and stress responses are associated with vasopressin in animals?
> Regulation of HPA axis
> Anxiogenesis
What anxiety and stress responses are associated with oxytocin in humans?
> Cortical response wrt social stress
Extinguishes fear condition in men
Reduces amygdala response to threatening stimuli
What anxiety and stress responses are associated with vasopressin in humans?
> Increases cortical response wrt social stressors in men
What did Young and Wang (2004) find?
Monogamous prairie voles have more V1a receptors in ventral pallidum than non-monogamous voles
What did Goodson et al (2009) find?
> Oxytocin is related to flocking in zebra finches
> Colonial bird species express greater levels of VT neurons than non-colonial
What did Carsten et al (2010) find?
The regulation of intergroup conflict in humans by promoting in-group care (as oppose to out-group aggression)
What did Bartels and Zaki (2004) find?
That vasopressin and oxytocin are associated with the development of filial and romantic love
What are the main neuroendocrine regulation effects of oxytocin and vasopressin?
> Amino acid and noradrenalin release
HPA axis
Auto-regulation
What are the main behaviour regulation effects of oxytocin and vasopressin?
> Emotional
Social
Cognitive
