Articlehybrid2016

A Distributed Network for Social Cognition Enriched for Oxytocin Receptors

Mariela Mitre · Bianca Jones Marlin · Jennifer K. Schiavo · Egzona Morina · Samantha E. Norden · Troy A. Hackett +3 more

305 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Neuroscience

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Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Abstract

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide important for social behaviors such as maternal care and parent–infant bonding. It is believed that oxytocin receptor signaling in the brain is critical for these behaviors, but it is unknown precisely when and where oxytocin receptors are expressed or which neural circuits are directly sensitive to oxytocin. To overcome this challenge, we generated specific antibodies to the mouse oxytocin receptor and examined receptor expression throughout the brain. We identified a distributed network of female mouse brain regions for maternal behaviors that are especially enriched for oxytocin receptors, including the piriform cortex, the left auditory cortex, and CA2 of the hippocampus. Electron microscopic analysis of the cerebral cortex revealed that oxytocin receptors were mainly expressed at synapses, as well as on axons and glial processes. Functionally, oxytocin transiently reduced synaptic inhibition in multiple brain regions and enabled long-term synaptic plasticity in the auditory cortex. Thus modulation of inhibition may be a general mechanism by which oxytocin can act throughout the brain to regulate parental behaviors and social cognition. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOxytocin is an important peptide hormone involved in maternal behavior and social cognition, but it has been unclear what elements of neural circuits express oxytocin receptors due to the paucity of suitable antibodies. Here, we developed new antibodies to the mouse oxytocin receptor. Oxytocin receptors were found in discrete brain regions and at cortical synapses for modulating excitatory-inhibitory balance and plasticity. These antibodies should be useful for future studies of oxytocin and social behavior.

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References

2001The Oxytocin Receptor System: Structure, Function, and Regulation 2011Social effects of oxytocin in humans: context and person matter 2001The neurobiology of attachment 2013Social reward requires coordinated activity of nucleus accumbens oxytocin and serotonin 2012Evoked Axonal Oxytocin Release in the Central Amygdala Attenuates Fear Response 1979Induction of maternal behavior in virgin rats after intracerebroventricular administration of oxytocin 1992Oxytocin receptor distribution reflects social organization in monogamous and polygamous voles.2005Pervasive social deficits, but normal parturition, in oxytocin receptor-deficient mice

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