We demonstrate distinct patterns of OXTR gene expression in the developing brain, with increasing oxytocin receptor (OXTR) expression along the course of the prenatal period culminating in a peak during early childhood. We also show that a network of genes with strong spatiotemporal couplings with OXTR is enriched in several psychiatric illness and body composition phenotypes. Taken together, these results demonstrate that oxytocin signaling plays an important role in a diverse set of psychological and somatic processes across the lifespan.

This article proposes that oxytocin is most accurately described as an allostatic hormone that modulates both social and non-social behavior by maintaining stability through changing environments

Using voxel-by-voxel gene expression brain maps generated via human post-mortem tissue, this analysis revealed expression of critical oxytocin pathway genes (OXTR, OXT, CD38) are enriched in subcortical and olfactory regions. fMRI meta-analysis revealed that these oxytocin pathway gene maps correspond with the processing of anticipatory, appetitive, and aversive cognitive states.