Several recent studies have demonstrated that central oxytocin and vasopressin pathways are important for species typical social behaviors in rodents. This proposal extends this work to non-human primates by investigating oxytocin and vasopressin in both normal and socially abnormal rhesus monkeys. Proposed studies will characterize the social and cognitive deficits in these monkeys, investigate the influence of centrally administered agonists and antagonists, and in post-mortem studies, assess oxytocin and vasopressin function with cellular and molecular techniques. As many of the behavioral deficits in these socially abnormal monkeys resemble the core features of autism and the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia, and reactive attachment disorder, the results from the proposed studies may provide important insights about the pathophysiology and novel medications for these treatment-refractory syndromes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01MH057704-01A2
Application #
2861569
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-2 (01))
Project Start
1999-04-10
Project End
2004-03-31
Budget Start
1999-04-10
Budget End
2000-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
042250712
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Winslow, James T; Noble, Pamela L; Davis, Michael (2007) Modulation of fear-potentiated startle and vocalizations in juvenile rhesus monkeys by morphine, diazepam, and buspirone. Biol Psychiatry 61:389-95
Winslow, James T (2005) Neuropeptides and non-human primate social deficits associated with pathogenic rearing experience. Int J Dev Neurosci 23:245-51
Sanchez, Mar M; Noble, Pamela M; Lyon, Casie K et al. (2005) Alterations in diurnal cortisol rhythm and acoustic startle response in nonhuman primates with adverse rearing. Biol Psychiatry 57:373-81
Winslow, James T; Noble, Pamela L; Lyons, Casie K et al. (2003) Rearing effects on cerebrospinal fluid oxytocin concentration and social buffering in rhesus monkeys. Neuropsychopharmacology 28:910-8
Parr, L A; Winslow, J T; Davis, M (2002) Rearing experience differentially affects somatic and cardiac startle responses in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Behav Neurosci 116:378-86
Winslow, James T; Parr, Lisa A; Davis, Michael (2002) Acoustic startle, prepulse inhibition, and fear-potentiated startle measured in rhesus monkeys. Biol Psychiatry 51:859-66
Hemby, S E; Sanchez, M M; Winslow, J T (2001) Functional genomics approaches to a primate model of autistic symptomology. J Autism Dev Disord 31:551-5