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Cited by 58Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyStress Responses and Cortisol

The modulation of emotional and social behaviors by oxytocin signaling in limbic network

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Triana-Del Rio, Rodrigo, Ranade, Sayali, Guardado, Jahel, LeDoux, Joseph, Klann, Eric, Shrestha, Prerana·2022·Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
DOI 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1002846PMC PMC9714608
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Abstract

Neuropeptides can exert volume modulation in neuronal networks, which account for a well-calibrated and fine-tuned regulation that depends on the sensory and behavioral contexts. For example, oxytocin (OT) and oxytocin receptor (OTR) trigger a signaling pattern encompassing intracellular cascades, synaptic plasticity, gene expression, and network regulation, that together function to increase the signal-to-noise ratio for sensory-dependent stress/threat and social responses. Activation of OTRs in emotional circuits within the limbic forebrain is necessary to acquire stress/threat responses. When emotional memories are retrieved, OTR-expressing cells act as gatekeepers of the threat response choice/discrimination. OT signaling has also been implicated in modulating social-exposure elicited responses in the neural circuits within the limbic forebrain. In this review, we describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the neuromodulation by OT, and how OT signaling in specific neural circuits and cell populations mediate stress/threat and social behaviors. OT and downstream signaling cascades are heavily implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by emotional and social dysregulation. Thus, a mechanistic understanding of downstream cellular effects of OT in relevant cell types and neural circuits can help design effective intervention techniques for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Authors
Triana-Del Rio, R., Ranade, S., Guardado, J., LeDoux, J., Klann, E., & Shrestha, P.
Affiliations
  • Stony Brook University (US)
  • New York University (US)
Corresponding author
Shrestha, Prerana
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2022-11-17
Volume
15
Pages
1002846-1002846
ISSN
1662-5099 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fnmol.2022.1002846
PMC
PMC9714608
OpenAlex
W4309609841
Cited by
58
References
173
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 2
FWCI
1.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse
  • Leon Levy Foundation
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, limbic forebrain, emotional behavior, social behavior, stress response, threat response, emotional memory, neuromodulation, synaptic plasticity, neuropsychiatric disorders

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