The "love hormone" oxytocin may not play as critical a role in bonding as previously believed. Removing the oxytocin receptor in animal models still resulted in monogamous mating, attachment, and parental bonding behaviors, although females without the receptor produced milk in smaller quantities. Findings reveal parenting and bonding aren't purely dictated by oxytocin receptors.
Magical thinking and believing in destined love may have evolved as a way to keep couples together and promote childbirth and rearing, researchers say.
Activity in the medial preoptic area tilts the mouse brain toward love and affection, while activity in the ventromedial hypothalamus is associated with more aggressive or hateful acts.
Researchers have identified both genetic and neural mechanisms associated with romantic love and attachment. The maintenance of romantic love is not only associated with subcortical brain regions but also higher-order centers of the brain. The propensity to sustain romantic love appears to also be affected by genetic variability, specifically with genes associated with dopamine, vasopressin, and oxytocin.
Researchers explore the similarities between being in love and addiction.
Study looks at the psychology and neurobiology of attraction and love.
A new study reports basic emotions, such as happiness and anger, are not limited to specific regions, but have distinct connectivity patterns that encompass much of the brain.
A new study reveals the holidays tend to bring out the 'loving mood' in people.
A new study reports on a key connection between two areas of an adult female vole's brain reward system that promotes pair bonding.
A new app from researchers at the University of Bristol may instantly predict attraction between people, before they have even met.
A new study looks at how cognition affects love.
A new study reports zebra finches that were allowed to breed with their preferred partner achieved a 37 percent higher success rate in reproduction over pairs that were forced to mate.