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.
In the olfactory bulb, levels of oxytocin rise and peak when new neurons incorporate themselves into neural networks. The findings shed new light on adult neurogenesis and brain plasticity.
An intranasally delivered oxytocin derivative helped improve cognitive function and reduced cognitive impairment in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.
Oxytocin, a hormone connected with bonding and love, could help to heal damage following a heart attack. Researchers found oxytocin stimulates stem cells from the heart's outer layer and migrates into the middle layer where it develops into muscle cells that generate heart contractions. This could be used to promote the regeneration of heart cells following a heart attack.
A newly developed fluorescent sensor is able to detect oxytocin in living animals.
Neurons that secrete oxytocin in the paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus are responsible for activating paternal instincts in new fathers, a mouse model study finds.
Magical thinking and believing in destined love may have evolved as a way to keep couples together and promote childbirth and rearing, researchers say.
Despite oxytocin nasal sprays being touted as a potential panacea to save broken relationships, researchers say it's highly unlikely to work. Nasal oxytocin does have benefits for the treatment of ASD and depression.
Administering oxytocin to influential members of a social network helped increase overall group cooperation.
Study sheds new light on the genetics underlying possible social differences between modern humans, our ancestors, and other primate species.
A new study links higher levels of oxytocin to greater life satisfaction as we age.
Hypersexual disorder, or sex addiction, in males is associated with higher levels of oxytocin within the blood.