Neuromodulators, Neurogenomics, Neurogenetics

Question 1

What endocrine factors can modulate neural circuit function?

Answer 1

> Hormones

> Cytokines

Question 2

What types of hormones modulate neural circuit function?

Answer 2

> Sex hormones (eg, oestrogen, testosterone)

> Stress hormones (eg, glucocorticoids)

Question 3

In what ways can cytokines modulate neural circuit function?

Answer 3

> Inflammatory responses

> Neuro-immune interactions

Question 4

What neurotransmitters have a neuromodulatory effect?

Answer 4

> Serotonin
> Dopamine
> Other biogenic amines
> Acetylcholine
> Neuropeptides

Question 5

What do neuropeptide actions require?

Answer 5

Receptors of the GPCR family

Question 6

What are GPCR family receptors?

Answer 6

seven-transmembrane receptors

Question 7

What are oxytocin and vasopressin?

Answer 7

nonapeptides synthesised from a precursor protein. A carrier protein, neurophysin is synthesised in the same process

Question 8

What are oxytocin and vasopressin?

Answer 8

nonapeptides synthesised from a precursor protein. A carrier protein, neurophysin is synthesised in the same process

Question 9

What techniques are used to explore neuropeptide function?

Answer 9

> Receptor autoradiography
> mRNA analysis
> Immunohistochemistry
> Microdialysis followed by radioimmunoassays
> Exogenous administration

Question 10

What are the main types of action for vasopressin and oxytocin?

Answer 10

> Neuroendocrine regulation

> Behaviour regulation

Question 11

How can vasopressin and oxytocin have such diverse effects?

Answer 11

> Variation in release
Variations in receptors and signal transduction
Variations in circuits

Question 12

What are the two main mechanisms of neurotransmitter release?

Answer 12

> Axonal terminals

> Dendrites

Question 13

Where are vasopressin producing neurons located?

Answer 13

In the preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus

Question 14

What is V1a?

Answer 14

A receptor that mediates vasopressin’s behavioural effects

Question 15

Where is V1a expressed?

Answer 15

> Vascular smooth muscles
> Hepatocytes
> Platelets
> Uterus
> Brain

Question 16

Where is V1b expressed?

Answer 16

> Anterior pituitary

> Brain

Question 17

Where is V2 expressed?

Answer 17

> Kidney

> Liver

Question 18

Where is the Oxytocin receptor expressed?

Answer 18

> Uterus
Mammary glands
Brain

Question 19

What are the main vasopressin receptors?

Answer 19

> V1a
V1b
V2

Question 20

What type of receptor are the vasopressin and oxytocin receptors?

Answer 20

G-protein couples receptors

Question 21

What type of receptor are the vasopressin and oxytocin receptors?

Answer 21

G-protein couples receptors

Question 22

How are vasopressin and oxytocin sexually dimorphic?

Answer 22

Wrt sex-specific functions, vasopression is active in males, and oxytocin is active in females.

Question 23

What affiliation behaviours are oxytocin associated with in animals?

Answer 23

> Maternal behaviour
Alloparenting in females
Partner preference in females
Pair bond formation in females

Question 24

What affiliation behaviours are vasopressin associated with in animals?

Answer 24

> Paternal behaviour
Alloparenting in males
Partner preference in males
Pair bond formation in males

Question 25

What social cognitions are oxytocin associated with in animals?

Answer 25

Social memory

Question 26

What affiliation behaviours are oxytocin associated with in humans?

Answer 26

> Trust, generosity and co operation > Paternal play > Partner communication > Enhances in-group preferences in men

Question 27

What social cognitions are oxytocin associated with in humans?

Answer 27

> Facial recognition > Facial affect recognition > Enhances attention towards the eyes in men > Improves detection of social words and biological motion

Question 28

What aggression behaviours are associated with oxytocin in animals?

Answer 28

> Maternal aggression

Question 29

What aggression behaviours are associate with vasopressin in animals?

Answer 29

> Maternal and paternal aggression > Post-mating aggression > Intermale aggression

Question 30

What aggression behaviours are associate with vasopressin in animals?

Answer 30

> Maternal and paternal aggression > Post-mating aggression > Intermale aggression

Question 31

What aggression behaviours are associated with vasopression in humans?

Answer 31

> Increases hostile facial responses in men

Question 32

What anxiety and stress responses are associated with oxytocin in animals?

Answer 32

> Inhibition of HPA response | > Anxiolysis

Question 33

What anxiety and stress responses are associated with vasopressin in animals?

Answer 33

> Regulation of HPA axis | > Anxiogenesis

Question 34

What anxiety and stress responses are associated with oxytocin in humans?

Answer 34

> Cortical response wrt social stress > Extinguishes fear condition in men > Reduces amygdala response to threatening stimuli

Question 35

What anxiety and stress responses are associated with vasopressin in humans?

Answer 35

> Increases cortical response wrt social stressors in men

Question 36

What did Young and Wang (2004) find?

Answer 36

Monogamous prairie voles have more V1a receptors in ventral pallidum than non-monogamous voles

Question 37

What did Goodson et al (2009) find?

Answer 37

> Oxytocin is related to flocking in zebra finches | > Colonial bird species express greater levels of VT neurons than non-colonial

Question 38

What did Carsten et al (2010) find?

Answer 38

The regulation of intergroup conflict in humans by promoting in-group care (as oppose to out-group aggression)

Question 39

What did Bartels and Zaki (2004) find?

Answer 39

That vasopressin and oxytocin are associated with the development of filial and romantic love

Question 40

What are the main neuroendocrine regulation effects of oxytocin and vasopressin?

Answer 40

> Amino acid and noradrenalin release > HPA axis > Auto-regulation

Question 41

What are the main behaviour regulation effects of oxytocin and vasopressin?

Answer 41

> Emotional > Social > Cognitive