Molecular examination of the endogenous opioid system in rhesus macaque monkeys with self-injurious behavior.
J Neurosci Res
; 101(1): 70-85, 2023 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36131680
ABSTRACT
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) can lead to serious injury and occurs in approximately 1%-4% of the adult population, with higher incidences in adolescent and institutionalized populations, as well as in children with developmental disorders such as Autism. SIB also spontaneously occurs in a low percentage of captive monkeys. Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) monkeys are evolutionarily and physiologically similar to humans, share 93% genetic sequence similarity to humans, and have long been used as testing subjects for vaccine and clinical trials. Previous studies hypothesized that altered endogenous opioid expression occurs in the brains of individuals and animals that self-injure. We examined the regional mRNA expression of opioid signaling genes in sixteen rhesus macaques that exhibited SIB and eight sex- and age- matched controls. The brain regions examined are linked to reward reinforcement and stress adaptation including the hypothalamus, orbital frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, caudate, and the amygdala. We found decreased µ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) in the amygdala of monkeys with SIB, and reduced prodynorphin (PDYN) in the hypothalamus. Our data suggest dysfunction in the regulation of opioid peptide precursors and calls for further investigation of the endogenous opioid system in SIB.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comportamento Autodestrutivo
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Analgésicos Opioides
Limite:
Adolescent
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Animals
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Child
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article