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Oxytocin Signaling in Pain: Cellular, Circuit, System, and Behavioral Levels

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Behavioral Pharmacology of Neuropeptides: Oxytocin

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 35))

Abstract

Originally confined to the initiation of parturition and milk ejection after birth, the hypothalamic nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) is now recognized as a critical determinant of social behavior and emotional processing. It accounts for the modulation of sensory processing and pain perception as OT displays a potent analgesic effect mediated by OT receptors (OTRs) expressed in the peripheral and central nervous systems. In our chapter, we will first systemically analyze known efferent and afferent OT neuron projections, which form the anatomical basis for OT modulation of somatosensory and pain processing. Next, we will focus on the synergy of distinct types of OT neurons (e.g., magno- and parvocellular OT neurons) which efficiently control acute inflammatory pain perception. Finally, we will describe how OT signaling mechanisms in the spinal cord control nociception, as well as how OT is able to modulate emotional pain processing within the central amygdala. In the conclusions at the end of the chapter, we will formulate perspectives in the study of OT effects on pain anticipation and pain memory, as well as propose some reasons for the application of exogenous OT for the treatment of certain types of pain in human patients.

The original version of this chapter was revised. An erratum to this chapter can be found at DOI 10.1007/7854_2018_38.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France

      Pierrick Poisbeau & Alexandre Charlet

    2. Schaller Research Group on Neuropeptides, German Cancer Research Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, BW, Germany

      Valery Grinevich

    3. Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, BW, Germany

      Valery Grinevich

    4. University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study, USIAS, Strasbourg, France

      Alexandre Charlet

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    1. Pierrick Poisbeau
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    2. Valery Grinevich
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    3. Alexandre Charlet
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    Correspondence to Alexandre Charlet .

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    Editors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

      Rene Hurlemann

    2. Schaller Research Group on Neuropeptides German Cancer Research Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, BW, Germany

      Valery Grinevich

    3. Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, BW, Germany

      Valery Grinevich

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    Poisbeau, P., Grinevich, V., Charlet, A. (2017). Oxytocin Signaling in Pain: Cellular, Circuit, System, and Behavioral Levels. In: Hurlemann, R., Grinevich, V. (eds) Behavioral Pharmacology of Neuropeptides: Oxytocin. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 35. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2017_14

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