Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Oxytocin is a paramount social hormone in mammals and accumulating evidence also strengthens a leading role of this nonapeptide in human social behavior. From voles to men, oxytocin modulates an intriguing number of social behaviors that resonates across species. Behaviors modulated by oxytocin include the quality of pair bonding, parenting, social stress, in-group and out-group relationships, and social communications. Recent molecular genetic studies of the human oxytocin recep-tor (OXTR) gene have strengthened the evidence regarding the role of this nonapeptide in a range of normal and pathological human behaviors. Moreover, dysfunctions in the oxytocin neu-ral pathways are likely contributing to deficits in social skills and communication in several psychiatric disorders. Indeed, a grow-ing number of clinical studies are now testing the therapeutic effect of intranasal oxytocin administration in mental disorders-
Source: Frontiers in Neuroscience
Authors: Idan Shalev, Richard P. Ebstein
Institutions: Duke University, National University of Singapore
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W2147729036