Cited by 26Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchHypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

The interplay between glutamatergic circuits and oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus and its relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders

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Leithead, Amanda B., Tasker, Jeffrey G., Harony‐Nicolas, Hala·2021·Journal of Neuroendocrinology

Abstract

Oxytocin (OXT) neurons of the hypothalamus are at the center of several physiological functions, including milk ejection, uterus contraction, and maternal and social behavior. In lactating females, OXT neurons show a pattern of burst firing and inter-neuron synchronization during suckling that leads to pulsatile release of surges of OXT into the bloodstream to stimulate milk ejection. This pattern of firing and population synchronization may be facilitated in part by hypothalamic glutamatergic circuits, as has been observed in vitro using brain slices obtained from male rats and neonates. However, it remains unknown how hypothalamic glutamatergic circuits influence OXT cell activity outside the context of lactation. In this review, we summarize the in vivo and in vitro studies that describe the synchronized burst firing pattern of OXT neurons and the implication of hypothalamic glutamate in this pattern of firing. We also make note of the few studies that have traced glutamatergic afferents to the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Finally, we discuss the genetic findings implicating several glutamatergic genes in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, thus underscoring the need for future studies to investigate the impact of these mutations on hypothalamic glutamatergic circuits and the OXT system.

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  1. [42]Dyball R, Way S, Leng G. Modulation of oxytocin release at the secretory terminal by endogenous opioids following systemic administration of cholecystokinin in the rat. J Physiol. 1991; 434: 83P.
  2. [180]Guastella AJ, Hickie IB. Oxytocin treatment, circuitry, and autism: a critical review of the literature placing oxytocin into the autism context. Biol Psychiat. 2016; 79(3): 234‐ 242. 26257243

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Authors
Leithead, A. B., Tasker, J. G., & Harony‐Nicolas, H.
Affiliations
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
  • Tulane University (US)
Corresponding author
Harony‐Nicolas, Hala
Venue
Journal of Neuroendocrinology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-11-16
Volume
33
Issue
12
Pages
e13061-e13061
ISSN
  • 0953-8194 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2826
OpenAlex
W3212146801
Cited by
26
References
186
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1
FWCI
0.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroendocrinology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH116108)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Keywords
oxytocin neurons, hypothalamus, glutamatergic circuits, glutamate, burst firing, neuronal synchronization, paraventricular nucleus, supraoptic nucleus, glutamatergic afferents, neurodevelopmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder, lactation, milk ejection, social behavior
MeSH terms
Animals, Cell Communication, Female, Humans, Hypothalamus, Male, Nerve Net, Neurons, Oxytocin, Glutamic Acid, Rats, Neurodevelopmental Disorders

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