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Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide elaborated by the
hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic
(SON) nuclei. Magnocellular OT neurons of these
nuclei innervate numerous forebrain regions and
release OT into the blood from the posterior
pituitary.
Hypothalamus
The
PVN also harbors parvocellular OT cells that project
to the brainstem and spinal cord, but their function
has not been directly assessed.
In a new study researchers identified a subset of
approximately 30 parvocellular OT neurons, with
collateral projections onto magnocellular OT neurons
and neurons of deep layers of the spinal cord.
Evoked OT release from these OT neurons suppresses
nociception and promotes analgesia in an animal
model of inflammatory pain.
Researchers' findings identify a new population of
OT neurons that modulates nociception in a two tier
process: directly by release of OT from axons onto
sensory spinal cord neurons and inhibiting their
activity and indirectly by stimulating OT release
from SON neurons into the periphery.
For
more information
Neuron
A New Population of Parvocellular Oxytocin Neurons
Controlling Magnocellular Neuron Activity and
Inflammatory Pain Processing
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