0005 Cataplexy Triggered by Social Cues: A Role for Oxytocin in the Amygdala. (27th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahoney, C E; Zhao, W; Coffey, A; Woods, C; Kroeger, D; Scammell, T
• Is Part Of: Sleep. Volume 43(2020)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A2
• Page End: A2
• Publication Date: 2020-05-27
• Subjects: Sleep -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sleep disorders -- Periodicals; Sommeil -- Aspect physiologique -- Périodiques; Sommeil, Troubles du -- Périodiques; Sleep disorders; Sleep -- Physiological aspects; Sleep -- physiological aspects; Sleep Wake Disorders; Psychophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.8498
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-8105

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: People with narcolepsy type 1 report that cataplexy is triggered most often by positive social experiences such as laughing with friends, yet the mechanisms through which social interaction promotes cataplexy are unknown. We hypothesize a subpopulation of central amygdala neurons that are sensitive to the prosocial neuropeptide, oxytocin (CeA OTR ), respond to positive valence and trigger cataplexy. Methods: We have used in vivo calcium imaging, chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches to characterize the activity pattern of these neurons and to manipulate their activity state. Results: Cre-dependent anterograde tracing of the CeA OTR neurons of the central amygdala indicate a moderate to dense projection to the REM sleep-regulatory region of the ventral lateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). Additionally, Channel Rhodopsin Assisted Circuit Mapping (CRACM) experiments show that CeA OTR neurons inhibit vlPAG neurons that innervate the REM atonia-promoting region, the sublaterodorsal nucleus. Targeted photostimulation (15Hz (10ms) for 20sec every hour) of the CeA OTR fibers in the vlPAG doubled the amount of cataplexy. Preliminary in vivo calcium imaging indicates that the CeA OTR are active just prior to the onset of cataplexy. Chemogenetic and optogenetic activation of CeA OTR neurons increased cataplexy. Conclusion: We conclude that the CeA OTR subpopulation is sufficient to promote cataplexy. Our future directions include determining the necessity of these oxytocin sensitive neurons in cataplexy under different conditions of positive valence. Support: R01 NS106032 and WakeUp Narcolepsy.