Oxytocin pathways in the intergenerational transmission of maternal early life stress. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Toepfer, Philipp; Heim, Christine; Entringer, Sonja; Binder, Elisabeth; Wadhwa, Pathik; Buss, Claudia
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 73(2017)
• Page Start: 293
• Page End: 308
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: 5HTTLPR Serotonin Transporter Length Polymorphic Region -- BPD Borderline Personality Disorder -- CNS Central Nervous System -- CpG Cytosine-Guanine DNA Sequence -- CRH Corticotropin Releasing Hormone -- CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid -- DA Dopamine -- DAT1 Dopamine Transporter Gene 1 -- DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid -- DRD2, DRD4 Dopamine Receptor 2 and Dopamine Receptor 4 Genes -- E Estrogens -- ELS Early Life Stress -- GABA Gamma Amino Butric Acid -- HPA Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis -- i.c.v. Intracerebroventricular -- IL-1β Interleukin 1 beta -- IL-6 Interleukin 6 -- LG Licking and Grooming -- MDD Major Depressive Disorder -- MPF Maternal-Placental-Fetal -- MPOA Medial Preoptic Area -- mRNA Messenger Ribonucleic Acid -- nAcc Nucleus Accumbens -- OT Oxytocin -- OTR Oxytocin Receptor -- OXTR Oxytocin Receptor Gene (human) -- Oxtr Oxytocin Receptor Gene (rodents) -- PPD Postpartum Depression -- PVN Paraventricular Nucleus -- Rs Reference Number for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (e.g., rs53576) -- SNP Single Nucleotide Polymorphism -- TNF-α Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha -- ToM Theory of Mind -- VMN Ventromedial Nucleus -- VS Ventral Striatum -- VTA Ventral Tegmental Area; Development -- Depression -- Early life stress -- Epigenetics -- Gene-environment interactions -- Intergenerational transmission -- Mother-child -- Oxytocin -- Parenting behavior; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Oxytocin plays a role in the intergenerational transmission of early adversity. Putative pre- and postnatal OT pathways of transmission are proposed. Oxytocin receptor gene ( OXTR ) variants affect susceptibility to the environment. The role of OXTR DNA methylation is discussed as a mechanism of transmission. Critical assessment of methodological challenges in human OT research is provided. Abstract: Severe stress in early life, such as childhood abuse and neglect, constitutes a major risk factor in the etiology of psychiatric disorders and somatic diseases. Importantly, these long-term effects may impact the next generation. The intergenerational transmission of maternal early life stress (ELS) may occur via pre-and postnatal pathways, such as alterations in maternal-fetal-placental stress physiology, maternal depression during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as impaired mother-offspring interactions. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has gained considerable attention for its role in modulating all of these assumed transmission pathways. Moreover, central and peripheral OT signaling pathways are highly sensitive to environmental exposures and may be compromised by ELS with implications for these putative transmission mechanisms. Together, these data suggest that OT pathways play an important role in the intergenerational transmission of maternal ELS in humans. By integrating recent studies on gene-environment interactions and epigenetic modifications in OT pathway genes, the present review aims to develop a conceptual framework of intergenerational transmission of maternal ELS that emphasizes the role of OT.