| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
De Oliveira Sergio, Thatiane
[1]
;
Frias, Alana Tercino
[1]
;
Vilela-Costa, Heloisa Helena
[1]
;
De Oliveira, Danielle C. G.
[2]
;
Zuardi, Antonio W.
[2]
;
Zangrossi Jr, Helio
Total Authors: 6
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Pharmacol, Ave Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Div Psychiat, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Neurosci & Behav, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY; v. 34, n. 4 FEB 2020. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 0 |
| Abstract | |
Introduction and objectives: Oxytocin (OT) has been widely linked to positive social interactions, and there is great interest in OT as a therapy for a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions. Recent evidence also suggests that OT can play an important role in the mediation of anxiety-associated defensive responses, including a role for serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in this action. However, it is presently unknown whether OT additionally regulates the expression of panic-related behaviors, such as escape, by acting in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), a key panic-regulating area. This study aimed to investigate the consequence of OT injection in the dPAG on escape expression and whether facilitation of 5-HT neurotransmission in this midbrain area is implicated in this action. Methods: Male Wistar rats were injected with OT in the dPAG and tested for escape expression in the elevated T-maze (ETM) and dPAG electrical stimulation tests. Using the latter test, OT's effect was also investigated after previous intra-dPAG injection of the OT receptor antagonist atosiban, the preferential antagonists of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, WAY-100635 and ketanserin, respectively, or systemic pretreatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor p-CPA. Results: OT impaired escape expression in the two tests used, suggesting a panicolytic-like effect. In the ETM, the peptide also facilitated inhibitory avoidance acquisition, indicating an anxiogenic effect. Previous administration of atosiban, WAY-100635, ketanserin, or p-CPA counteracted OT's anti-escape effect. Conclusions: OT and 5-HT in the dPAG interact in the regulation of panic- and anxiety-related defensive responses. These findings open new perspectives for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of anxiety disorders. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/18437-7 - Investigation of the role of 5-HT1A receptors located in the lateral wings of the dorsal raphe nucleus on the panicolytic effect promoted by fluoxetine treatment |
| Grantee: | Heloísa Helena Vilela Costa |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |