FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPain·August 27, 2021·6 min readMaternal Voice Reduces Pain in Premature BabiesWhen a mother speaks to her newborn during a medical intervention, the baby's oxytocin levels increase and their expression of pain decreases.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·August 11, 2021·5 min read“Experienced” Mouse Mothers Tutor Other Females to Parent, Helped by Hormone OxytocinMouse mothers gathering their pups train female mice without pups to perform the same behavior. In virgin mice, observing the mother mouse take care of her pups stimulates oxytocin production, biologically shaping them for maternal behavior.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 5, 2021·2 min readThe Same Neural Pathways Promote Maternal and Paternal Behaviors in VolesConnections between oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus and dopamine neurons in the reward system drive parenting behaviors in both male and female voles.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 19, 2021·5 min readA Father’s Parenting Style Could Be Predicted in Advance of His Child’s BirthExpectant fathers with higher levels of brain activation and oxytocin later endorsed a more "child-led" empathetic style of parenting once their child was born.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 10, 2021·5 min readWhat Happens in the Brain When People Make Music Together?A new study reveals what goes on in the brain when a person embarks on a musical collaboration project.Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·May 18, 2021·4 min readMutation Linked to Autism Impairs Oxytocin-Mediated Social BehaviorA genetic mutation of Caps2 impairs the release of oxytocin, leading to problems in regulating social behavior in those on the autism spectrum.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·April 13, 2021·4 min readExposure to Smells In Early Infancy Can Modulate Adult BehaviorOlfactory imprinting in infant mice has a direct impact on their social behaviors as adults.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 26, 2021·4 min readSexual Intimacy Is a Natural Sleep Aid for InsomniaSexual activity before sleep increases oxytocin and reduces the stress-related hormone cortisol. Researchers say sexual activity at bedtime can help reduce symptoms of insomnia and reduce sleep disruptions.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 28, 2021·3 min readRisk-Taking Linked to Particular Brain FeaturesResearchers found functional and anatomical differences in the brains of people who are more likely to embark on risky behaviors.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 17, 2021·4 min readHow to Bond With Your Kids According to NeuroscienceNew research that simultaneously measures brain activity in children and their parents offers insights into bonding.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·December 8, 2020·4 min readMother’s Empathy Linked to ‘Epigenetic’ Changes to the Oxytocin GeneMethylation of the oxytocin gene OXT was associated with maternal personal distress, resulting in harsher parenting. OXT methylation was also negatively correlated with gray matter in the right inferior temporal gyrus.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 18, 2020·5 min readNovel Roles of Oxytocin in Controlling Male Sexual FunctionOxytocin injections in rodent models directly activated SEG/GRP neurons via oxytocin receptors and influenced male sexual functions in the lumbar spinal cord. Reducing the activity of oxytocin receptors resulted in a decrease in sexual activity and ejaculatory response in the animals.Read More