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Oxytocin

·July 5, 2021·2 min read

The Same Neural Pathways Promote Maternal and Paternal Behaviors in Voles

Connections between oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus and dopamine neurons in the reward system drive parenting behaviors in both male and female voles.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 19, 2021·5 min read

A Father’s Parenting Style Could Be Predicted in Advance of His Child’s Birth

Expectant fathers with higher levels of brain activation and oxytocin later endorsed a more "child-led" empathetic style of parenting once their child was born.

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Featured Neuroscience

·June 10, 2021·5 min read

What 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.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 18, 2021·4 min read

Mutation Linked to Autism Impairs Oxytocin-Mediated Social Behavior

A genetic mutation of Caps2 impairs the release of oxytocin, leading to problems in regulating social behavior in those on the autism spectrum.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 13, 2021·4 min read

Exposure to Smells In Early Infancy Can Modulate Adult Behavior

Olfactory imprinting in infant mice has a direct impact on their social behaviors as adults.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 26, 2021·4 min read

Sexual Intimacy Is a Natural Sleep Aid for Insomnia

Sexual 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.

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Featured Neuroscience

·January 28, 2021·3 min read

Risk-Taking Linked to Particular Brain Features

Researchers found functional and anatomical differences in the brains of people who are more likely to embark on risky behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 17, 2021·4 min read

How to Bond With Your Kids According to Neuroscience

New research that simultaneously measures brain activity in children and their parents offers insights into bonding.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·December 8, 2020·4 min read

Mother’s Empathy Linked to ‘Epigenetic’ Changes to the Oxytocin Gene

Methylation 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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 18, 2020·5 min read

Novel Roles of Oxytocin in Controlling Male Sexual Function

Oxytocin 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.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 29, 2020·7 min read

Studies Link Some Autism to Brain Cells That Guide Sociability and Platonic Love

Mouse study links specific autism types to abnormal parvocellular oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 7, 2020·4 min read

The Effects of Oxytocin on Social Anxiety Depend on Location

Oxytocin produced in the BNST increased stress-induced social anxiety behaviors in mice. The findings shed light on why oxytocin can sometimes provoke anti-social effects.