Mothers’ behavior influences bonding hormone oxytocin in babies
Greater maternal involvement upregulates the oxytocin system in their babies.... Read More...
Oxytocin
Fish fathers exhibit signatures of ‘baby brain’ that may facilitate parental care behavior
Genomic analysis reveals some of the neurogenomic dynamics closely resemble changes associated with pregnancy and reproduction in mammalian mothers.... Read More...
Hormone potentially linked to hypersexual disorder identified
Study implicates dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms of both DNA methylation and microRNA activity, in addition to oxytocin to hypersexuality.... Read More...
The neurochemistry of social perception
Researchers examined the effects oxytocin and vasopressin had on perceptions of social dominance. Oxytocin increased perception of greater dominance. Neuroimaging revealed the findings were also reflected in changes in brain regions associated with social perception.... Read More...
‘Love hormone’ has stomach-turning effect in starfish
Oxytocin, a hormone commonly associated with love and bonding in humans, causes starfish to turn their stomachs inside-out to feed. The findings provide vital new evidence for the evolutionary role of oxytocin and vasopressin neuropeptides as regulators of feeding in animals.... Read More...
Scientists find clue to ‘maternal instinct’
Researchers identify a group of neurons that are activated by oxytocin in an area of the female brain, but which are not present in the same area of a male mouse brain. Altered expression of these neurons may result in postpartum depression.... Read More...
Some women could be more susceptible to PTSD than others
Oxytocin and cortisol levels are higher in women with dissociative PTSD.... Read More...
Oxytocin could help treat alcohol use disorder: Rat Study
Administering oxytocin blocks the enhanced motivation for drinking alcohol that fuels alcohol use disorder by blocking GABA signaling in the central nucleus of the amygdala.... Read More...
Psychedelic drug MDMA may reawaken ‘critical period’ in brain to help treat PTSD
MDMA, a psychedelic drug, has successfully been used to reopen the 'critical period' of learning the reward values of social behaviors. Researchers report, in mature mice given MDMA, oxytocin triggers signaling in synapses that help encode social learning and memory, a process that does not usually occur in older animals. The findings could help in the development of treatments for PTSD and other disorders.... Read More...
Fear center in the brain protects against illusions
Researchers report inhibited activity of the amygdala makes people more susceptible to deception when it comes to illusory perception. The study suggests the amygdala might help to protect us against distortions in self-perception.... Read More...
Couples Creating Art Release Oxytocin, But Men Who Paint Release the Most
A new study reveals couples who create art or play board games together release oxytocin. Researchers report males release 2 to 2.5 times more oxytocin when creating art with their loved one.... Read More...
Why Are People Religious? A Cognitive Perspective
Researchers investigate both the cognitive and neurobiological basis of why so people have religious beliefs.... Read More...