oxytocin

Oxytocin pathway gene networks in the human brain

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.

Low-dose intranasal oxytocin delivered with Breath Powered device modulates pupil diameter and amygdala activity: a randomized controlled pupillometry and fMRI study

Little is known about how intranasally administered oxytocin reaches the brain and modulates social behavior and cognition. Pupil dilation is a sensitive index of attentional allocation and effort, and inter-individual variability in pupil diameter …

Evidence for intranasal oxytocin delivery to the brain: recent advances and future perspectives

The neuropeptide oxytocin plays an evolutionarily conserved role in mammalian social behavior. Despite striking effects on animal social behavior after intracerebroventricular drug delivery, this delivery mode is impractical in humans. Intranasal …

Revisiting non-significant effects of intranasal oxytocin using equivalence testing

The effects of intranasal oxytocin on social cognition are mixed, with several non-significant reports casting some doubts on its efficacy. Nevertheless, drawing inferences from non-significant values is problematic as non-significant results can be …

Saliva oxytocin measures do not reflect peripheral plasma concentrations after intranasal oxytocin administration in men

Oxytocin plays an important role in social behavior. Thus, there has been significant research interest for the role of the oxytocin system in several psychiatric disorders, and the potential of intranasal oxytocin administration to treat social …

Reliability of basal plasma vasopressin concentrations in healthy male adults

Objective: The neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) play important and interrelated roles in modulating mammalian social behaviour. While the OT system has received considerable research attention for its potential to treat …

Beyond the hype and hope: critical considerations for intranasal oxytocin research in autism spectrum disorder

Extensive research efforts in the last decade have been expended into understanding whether intranasal oxytocin may be an effective therapeutic in treating social communication impairments in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After …

Dose-dependent social-cognitive effects of intranasal oxytocin delivered with novel Breath Powered device in adults with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial

The neuropeptide oxytocin has shown promise as a treatment for symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, clinical research progress has been hampered by a poor understanding of oxytocin’s dose–response and sub-optimal intranasal delivery …

Oxytocin system dysfunction as a common mechanism underlying metabolic syndrome and psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders

There is growing interest in using intranasal oxytocin (OT) to treat social dysfunction in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders (i.e., psychotic disorders). While OT treatment results have been mixed, emerging evidence suggests that OT system …

The correlation between central and peripheral oxytocin concentrations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There is growing interest in the role of the oxytocin system in social cognition and behavior. Peripheral oxytocin concentrations are regularly used to approximate central concentrations in psychiatric research, however, the validity of this approach …