Articles tagged with Oxytocin
A study found that oxytocin and vasopressin reduce aggression and increase cooperation in male rhesus macaques, flattening the social hierarchy and promoting egalitarian behavior. The hormones also synchronize behaviors, enabling non-verbal communication between animals.
Researchers will use high-resolution imaging technology to study oxytocin neurons and their connections in the brain, aiming to gain insights into social behavior and potential disorders like autism. The project aims to create a detailed anatomical map of oxytocin neurons to better understand how they drive behavior.
Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Center has received a five-year, $12.7 million NIMH grant to continue research on oxytocin, a brain chemical involved in social bonding. The goal is to understand its role in neural communication and social functioning.
A study found that oxytocin increased brain activity in response to infant and adult faces in mothers, indicating a stronger neural connection. This research explores the role of oxytocin in early parent-infant interaction and its potential benefits for parenting.
The study found that participants were more willing to punish a wrongdoer when they experienced injustice directly, associating with brain activity in the ventral striatum. Participants receiving oxytocin chose less intense punishments, suggesting the hormone's role in maintaining fairness.
A new study in mice has identified an oxytocin-fueled brain circuit that regulates social recognition, revealing the seahorse-shaped hippocampus plays a key role in differentiating similar memories. The findings provide insight into how the brain computes cues to distinguish friend from foe and threat from reward.
Researchers found that oxytocin enhances dogs' interest in smiling faces and reduces their emotional response to angry ones. The study used eye-tracking devices and pupil measurements to evaluate the dogs' emotional states, providing new insights into canine cognition.
A Polish Academy of Sciences team has developed a polymer 'love hormone' sensor that can detect micromolar concentrations of oxytocin, a biomarker associated with autism. The sensor's sensitivity is expected to increase to nanomolar levels, allowing for early diagnosis and potentially dramatic treatment efficacy improvements.
Research reveals that oxytocin is ingested by intestinal villiated epithelial cells via RAGE receptors after gut closure. This mechanism enables oxytocin to be orally administered as a medication and/or nutrient supplement in milk, promoting social brain development and communication.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified the brain circuitry behind social reward, pinpointing oxytocin as a key player. The study suggests that oxytocin promotes sociability by binding to receptors on dopamine-secreting neurons, enhancing their firing and fostering positive social interactions.
A study led by the University of Arizona found that dogs with leash aggression had higher levels of total vasopressin, while those without exhibited higher oxytocin and oxytocin-to-vasopressin ratios. This supports the idea that oxytocin may help inhibit aggression in dogs.
A new study from the University of California, Davis, suggests that blocking oxytocin in the brain may be a better option for relieving stress and enhancing social life. Researchers found that oxytocin amplifies both positive and negative social interactions, but its effects vary depending on the brain region it acts upon.
A new study from Linköping University finds that dogs' willingness to collaborate with humans is linked to genetic variations in the oxytocin receptor gene. The researchers discovered a possible explanation for why dogs differ in their ability to work together, which may have contributed to human selection during domestication.
Researchers at Rosalind Franklin University are investigating the role of oxytocin in stress-induced psychiatric disorders, aiming to identify new targets for pharmacotherapy. The study has the potential to shed light on commonalities and differences in fear and anxiety circuitry between males and females.
Research found that oxytocin administration increased altruistic preference towards refugees among those with low xenophobia scores. Participants with high xenophobia scores showed no significant change in altruism levels after oxytocin administration, but did exhibit increased donations when combined with peer-derived norms.
Researchers found that oxytocin increased generosity towards refugees, but only when combined with social norms. Donations from individuals with a defensive attitude towards migrants nearly doubled when presented with the average donation of their peers.
A new Stanford study found that oxytocin improves social behavior in children with autism who have low oxytocin levels, but not those with high levels. The study suggests that baseline oxytocin levels can predict which children will benefit from oxytocin treatment.
A study led by neuroscientists found that oxytocin in the amygdala inhibits a self-defense reaction, allowing mothers to protect their young. The team manipulated oxytocin levels and observed increased defensive behavior when the hormone was inhibited.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that oxytocin administration reduced drug-seeking behavior and relapse in methamphetamine-addicted rats. Oxytocin was shown to decrease motivation to acquire the drug and reduce relapse, with the effects strongest in animals with high motivation.
When a partner shows less interest in the relationship, oxytocin levels increase to promote attention and motivation towards the partnership. However, this 'crisis hormone' may have limits to its effectiveness, particularly if the relationship is deemed lost.
A new, inhaled form of oxytocin has shown promising results in preventing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. The inhalable medication could potentially be accessible to mothers sooner, thanks to a streamlined registration pathway.
A new study found that fathers' brain activity increases when viewing photos of their toddlers, suggesting a link between the hormone oxytocin and paternal nurturing. The research also suggests that oxytocin may be used to normalize deficits in paternal motivation, such as in men suffering from post-partum depression.
A study from Center for Music in the Brain found that oxytocin enhances synchrony in finger-tapping pairs, indicating improved social bonding and prediction skills. The hormone's role in facilitating predictability explains its social effect without subjective affiliation.
A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers found that social support from bond partners significantly reduced stress hormone levels in wild chimpanzees during conflicts and everyday affiliations. This discovery has potential medical implications for humans, highlighting the importance of supportive relationships in regulating stress.
Research reveals that individuals with medical conditions causing low oxytocin levels perform poorly on empathy tasks. Oxytocin replacement may improve psychological well-being in those living with low levels.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered a protein called CRHBP that reduces anxiety in male mice by halting the activity of a stress-inducing hormone. In contrast, the same protein has no effect on female mice.
A recent study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience suggests that oxytocin may support spiritual beliefs by enhancing feelings of awe, gratitude, and hope. Men who received oxytocin reported a stronger sense of spirituality and interconnectedness with others, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Researchers at York University and CAMH discovered a new link between the OXTR gene and binge eating behaviors. The study found that specific genetic variations contribute to overeating habits, suggesting oxytocin plays a role in regulating behavior.
A new study published in Hormones and Behavior shows that oxytocin administration enhances facial mimicry and emotion recognition in adult males. The researchers found that the subjects who received oxytocin exhibited greater facial mimicry when observing infant faces, which was not seen in those who received a placebo.
Research suggests that prenatal stress can lead to epigenetic adaptations in newborns, activating the oxytocin receptor gene and facilitating social behavior. This mechanism could indicate that babies develop more resilience to cope with future adversities.
A study found that oxytocin nasal spray decreases impulsive behavior in overweight men, allowing for better self-control and reduced food intake. The treatment showed promising results with minimal side effects, suggesting a potential new approach to treating obesity.
A study by Northwestern University found that higher oxytocin levels during pregnancy can predict the severity of postpartum depression symptoms. The research suggests that screening for depression biomarkers in pregnancy could lead to preventive treatment, reducing the likelihood of women seeking help and accepting treatment.
Researchers at the University of California - Berkeley found that moderate stress can make male rats more social and cooperative, leading to increased oxytocin levels. This effect is comparable to the benefits seen in romantic relationships, suggesting that bromances may have healthful effects similar to those seen in human friendships.
A new study by James Burkett and colleagues found that prairie voles console loved ones who are feeling stressed, suggesting a complex form of empathy. The researchers discovered that the 'love hormone' oxytocin is involved in this behavior, which occurs only between familiar individuals, not strangers.
Research suggests that postnatal depression can lead to adverse effects on child outcomes, while interventions such as hormone therapy with oxytocin may improve parenting behaviors. However, more study is needed to define the risks and benefits of oxytocin treatment for mothers with postnatal depression.
New research suggests oxytocin may trigger anxiety in stressed females, unlike males where it increases social motivation. The hormone also had no effect on non-stressed females.
The research demonstrates that increasing oxytocin levels can improve social interactions in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, the study reveals a link between oxytocin and anandamide production, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating ASD.
A five-week oxytocin treatment improved social, emotional and behavioral issues in young children with autism. The study found significant improvements in social responsiveness at home and in therapy settings.
A University of California, Irvine study found that oxytocin increases production of anandamide, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness and motivation. Blocking anandamide's effects also blocks oxytocin's pro-social effects, suggesting a connection between the two hormones.
Researchers found that oxytocin-treated marmosets attracted more physical proximity and grooming from their long-term mates. The study suggests that oxytocin may increase the social attractiveness of treated individuals, which could be beneficial for people with social deficit disorders like autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety.
Scientists have identified a uterine trigger called hypoxia-induced force increase (HIFI) that allows muscle cells to adapt to low oxygen levels, leading to stronger contractions in labor. This discovery could help resolve issues of prolonged labor and emergency cesareans.
A recent study has discovered a blood marker that can help identify women at risk for postpartum depression, a debilitating disorder affecting nearly 20% of new mothers. The oxytocin receptor marker is associated with increased risk and may enable early identification and intervention.
A new NIH-funded study at Indiana University will investigate the potential connection between fever and relief of some autism symptoms in children. The researchers aim to understand how physiological deficits in regulating body temperature affect social behaviors associated with autism.
Researchers found significant similarities between oxytocin and alcohol's behavioral effects, including increased aggression and risk-taking. This study highlights the darker side of oxytocin, which can suppress social inhibitors like fear and anxiety, leading to more impulsive decisions.
Researchers have discovered how oxytocin acts on individual brain cells to prompt specific social behaviors. Adding oxytocin to adult mice' brains allowed them to learn and perform social tasks, suggesting potential treatments for social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Researchers discovered a link between prolactin levels and parental behavior, including increased cuddling and sex among paired cotton-top tamarins. The study adds to the growing understanding of parallels between oxytocin and prolactin in pair bonding.
A study by UC Santa Barbara anthropologists found that Tsimane men's oxytocin levels increase when they come home to their families after a day of hunting, positively correlating with changes in testosterone. This hormonal response may serve as a balance between social bonding and competition.
A synthetic oxytocin nasal formulation reduced caloric intake in healthy men, lowering consumption of calories and fatty foods. Oxytocin also improved metabolic measures, such as insulin sensitivity.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have shown that inducing oxytocin release can activate the social brain and create bonds. A new drug candidate has been identified to stimulate oxytocin cells, leading to enhanced attention to and learning from social information in people with social disorders.
Researchers at the University of Sydney and Regensburg found that oxytocin prevents alcohol from accessing specific brain sites causing intoxication effects, leading to improved coordination in rats. Oxytocin may help reduce alcohol's impairing effects on speech and cognition after high consumption levels
Researchers at the University of Virginia have discovered a chemical tag on DNA called DNA methylation associated with differences in brain response to anger and fear. Individuals low in DNA methylation on the oxytocin receptor may better utilize this hormone, leading to improved social behavior.
Researchers found that oxytocin facilitates extinction of conditioned fear in humans by reducing activity in the amygdala and increasing stimulation in fear-inhibiting regions. This basic research could lead to new treatments for anxiety disorders.
A randomized non-inferiority trial found that sublingual misoprostol was less effective than intramuscular oxytocin in preventing postpartum hemorrhage in Uganda. The study showed that women treated with misoprostol experienced more blood loss and side effects, while oxytocin was associated with fewer complications.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found a direct link between oxytocin levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid and anxiety. Low oxytocin levels are correlated with high anxiety scores, suggesting that oxytocin may be a biomarker for anxiety and a potential therapeutic target.
A study by researchers at The Rockefeller University has identified a new class of brain cells that play a crucial role in regulating female social behavior in mice. These oxytocin-responsive neurons are found in the prefrontal cortex and may mediate other aspects of behavior in response to elevated oxytocin levels.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a newly discovered class of brain cells that respond to oxytocin in female mice. These oxytocin receptor interneurons (OxtrINs) play a key role in influencing social behavior, particularly in females during their reproductive cycle, and may also contribute to human social interactions.
A new study from Stanford Medicine found that blood-oxytocin levels are within the normal range in children with autism. The researchers discovered that higher oxytocin levels are linked to better social functioning in all groups, including those with autism, their siblings, and unrelated children.
Researchers discovered oxytocin's indispensable role in healthy muscle maintenance and repair, finding that it declines with age in mice. Administering oxytocin improved muscle healing in old mice, while blocking its effects compromised their ability to repair tissue.
Researchers found that oxytocin increased two facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys. The hormone promoted more communicative behavior, including lip smacking and standing close to caregivers, in strong imitators, suggesting its potential as a treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Oxytocin increases facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys, promoting communication and social interest. The hormone also lowers cortisol levels, indicating a possible role in diminishing anxiety.