Article
Behavioral Sciences
C. Sue Carter
Summary: Oxytocin plays a crucial role in selective sociality and the consequences of early experience. It is critical for emotional safety, healthy sexuality, and overall physical and mental health. Oxytocin coordination social bonds and physiological reactions, and research on species like prairie voles has provided valuable insights into its behavioral importance.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Mark A. Straccia, Adam R. Teed, Perri L. Katzman, Kevin M. Tan, Michael H. Parrish, Michael R. Irwin, Naomi Eisenberger, Matthew D. Lieberman, Benjamin A. Tabak
Summary: Although there are theoretical grounds, this study fails to demonstrate the effects of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) on social cognition in healthy individuals, suggesting that the impact of these neuropeptides may be more limited than initially assumed.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Tian Lin, Didem Pehlivanoglu, Maryam Ziaei, Peiwei Liu, Adam J. Woods, David Feifel, Hakan Fischer, Natalie C. Ebner
Summary: The study found that older adults show dampened response to faces with lower trustworthiness compared to young adults, supporting the idea of reduced sensitivity to cues of untrustworthiness in aging. Additionally, the results extend evidence of an age-related positivity effect to the evaluation of face trustworthiness.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Linda Handlin, Giovanni Novembre, Helene Lindholm, Robin Kampe, Elisabeth Paul, India Morrison
Summary: The study found that contextual circumstances of social touch influence both current hormonal and brain responses as well as later responses. Oxytocin plays a crucial role in social interactions, modulating the brain's response to touch. These findings demonstrate the flexibility of hormone-brain modulation during human social interactions.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Aida Maddahi, Lars Edvinsson, Karin Warfvinge
Summary: The expression of vasopressin and its receptors in the brain and trigeminovascular system, particularly in migraine-related regions, was identified. No differences in CGRP and vasopressin expression were found between male and female rats in the trigeminal ganglion. However, the number of RAMP1, oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, and vasopressin receptors immunoreactive cells were higher in females. Vasopressin and its receptors were expressed in both hypothalamus and trigeminal ganglion, with higher levels of vasopressin mRNA in the hypothalamus. Vasopressin and closely related oxytocin may play important roles in migraine pathophysiology.
JOURNAL OF HEADACHE AND PAIN
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Annemieke M. Witte, Madelon M. E. Riem, N. van der Knaap, Marleen H. M. de Moor, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg
Summary: In a randomized double-blind study, the effects of oxytocin and vasopressin administration on neural reactivity to infant cry sounds in first-time fathers were investigated. The results showed no significant effect of these hormones on neural activation, but decreased amygdala activation was observed under the oxytocin and vasopressin conditions. Fathers' early childhood experiences did not moderate the effects. These findings suggest the importance of oxytocin and vasopressin in the neural models of infant cry perception in fatherhood.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Wenjuan Hou, Huan Ma, Yufeng Xun, Xin Zhang, Wenqi Cai, Shuying Huang, Zhixiong He, Fadao Tai, Rui Jia
Summary: The study found that CSDS affects behavioral performance and levels of social withdrawal in monogamous mandarin voles, with the OT and AVP systems potentially playing important regulatory roles in sex differences of behavioral performances.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Krzysztof M. Wilczynski, Aleksandra Stasik, Lena Cichon, Aleksandra Augusciak-Duma, Malgorzata Janas-Kozik
Summary: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect every population. Its pathogenesis involves the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Social communication deficits are the main symptom of ASD, which lead to difficulties in everyday functioning.
Article
Neurosciences
Marie Coenjaerts, Isabelle Trimborn, Berina Adrovic, Birgit Stoffel-Wagner, Larry Cahill, Alexandra Philipsen, Rene Hurlemann, Dirk Scheele
Summary: Considerable evidence supports sex differences in episodic memory. This study found that the hormones estradiol and oxytocin can modulate these sex differences, with separate treatments significantly reducing the differences and combined treatment having no effect. The results suggest the importance of these hormones in regulating sex differences in episodic memory, and possible antagonistic interactions between estradiol and oxytocin.
Article
Anthropology
Nicky Staes, Elaine E. Guevara, Philippe Helsen, Marcel Eens, Jeroen M. G. Stevens
Summary: Humans have unique cognitive capacities compared to apes, with differences in social cognition skills. Bonobos and chimpanzees show key between-species differences in social cognition, with bonobos possibly being more similar to humans. Genetic analysis of receptor genes for vasopressin, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine reveals potential impacts on ligand binding or signal transduction, emphasizing the importance of neurochemical mechanisms in the evolution of social cognition.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Ricardo Mondragon-Ceballos, Genesis Chantal Hernandez-Vazquez, Susana Rojas-Maya, Monica Dafne Garcia-Granados, Jaqueline Lugo-Ferrer, Leonor Estela Hernandez-Lopez
Summary: In stump-tailed macaques, male-female friendships promote higher post-copulatory oxytocin concentrations and better physiological conditions for males. As closeness between males and females increases, sperm concentration, immotile and motile sperm decrease gradually.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Soledad Barez-Lopez, Agnieszka Konopacka, Stephen J. Cross, Mingkwan Greenwood, Marina Skarveli, David Murphy, Michael P. Greenwood
Summary: This study explores the expression of two genes, Caprin2 and Creb3l1, in magnocellular neurones (MCNs) and their changes during dehydration. The findings suggest that both genes are expressed in MCNs and their expression increases in response to dehydration. Protein levels mirror the increase in transcript levels for both CREB3L1 and CAPRIN2. In addition, CREB3L1 may be a transcription factor regulating Oxt gene expression, while CAPRIN2 binds to Oxt mRNA and regulates its poly(A) tail length.
NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Anne K. Baker, Lauren C. Ericksen, Vincent Koppelmans, Brian J. Mickey, Katherine T. Martucci, Jon-Kar Zubieta, Tiffany M. Love
Summary: There is a reciprocal relationship between chronic pain and reward processing. This study found that males with chronic pain exhibited reduced anticipatory responses to reward in the striatum compared to control males, while no significant sex differences were observed among female patients. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex as a factor of interest in future studies on reward processing in the context of chronic pain.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
G. Wirobski, F. S. Schaebs, F. Range, S. Marshall-Pescini, T. Deschner
Summary: The study validated a commercial Enzyme Immunoassay for measuring oxytocin metabolite concentrations in dog, wolf, and human urine samples, with improved performance compared to a previously validated assay.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ewa Szczepanska-Sadowska, Agnieszka Wsol, Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska, Tymoteusz Zera
Summary: Oxytocin and vasopressin play important roles in the brain and peripheral organs, and their secretion is influenced by various factors. Inappropriate regulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Sara Becker, Birgit Spinath, Beate Ditzen, Tobias Doerfler
Summary: The ability to judge difficulty-generating features in mathematical word problems is an important indicator of mathematics teachers' diagnostic competence. This study used eye tracking to investigate the influence of stress on the perception and interpretation processes of these features. The results showed that under stress, the attention was limited to potentially relevant features, fewer features were used for judgment, and the interpretation of each feature as relevant was less frequent.
JOURNAL FUR MATHEMATIK-DIDAKTIK
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Beate Ditzen, Corina Aguilar-Raab, Friederike Winter, Cristobal Hernandez, Ekaterina Schneider, Guy Bodenmann, Markus Heinrichs, Ulrike Ehlert, Severin Laeuchli
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of instructed positive couple interaction, observed behavior, and the hormone oxytocin (OT) on immune function. The findings suggest that friendly behavior plays a crucial role in immune regulation in romantic couples. Furthermore, this study provides empirical evidence that an intervention targeting neuroendocrine mediators and behavior can have gender-specific effects on immune function with potential long-term health implications.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Emily Kuhlmann, Pauline Scharli, Maren Schick, Beate Ditzen, Laila Langer, Thomas Strowitzki, Tewes Wischmann, Ruben-J. Kuon
Summary: This study examines the posttraumatic impact of recurrent pregnancy loss on men and women and their interdependencies. The results show that the prevalence of posttraumatic stress is higher in women compared to men. The number of curettages is related to the severity of posttraumatic stress in women, and higher levels of anxiety, depression, and lack of social support in women are positively correlated with posttraumatic stress in their partners. The coping strategies of men, such as trivialization, wishful thinking, and avoidance, are correlated with more severe posttraumatic stress in female partners.
GEBURTSHILFE UND FRAUENHEILKUNDE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Psychology, Biological
C. J. Mayer, S. P. Lerch, T. Kurz, T. Stephan, T. Swysen, J. Mahal, B. Ditzen
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Psychology, Biological
T. R. Kurz, C. J. Mayer, S. P. Lerch, T. I. Stephan, T. Swysen, J. Mahal, B. Ditzen
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Franziska Kremer, Beate Ditzen, Tewes Wischmann
Summary: Approximately 7-9% of couples of reproductive age face infertility despite regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. Psychosocial interventions for fertility disorders have been studied, but their effects on anxiety, depression, and pregnancy rates are inconclusive. This review critically evaluates studies since 2015 and suggests future interventions to improve outcomes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mai Iwasaki, Arthur Lefevre, Ferdinand Althammer, Etienne Clauss Creusot, Olga Lapies, Hugues Petitjean, Louis Hilfiger, Damien Kerspern, Meggane Melchior, Stephanie Kueppers, Quirin Krabichler, Ryan Patwell, Alan Kania, Tim Gruber, Matthew K. Kirchner, Moritz Wimmer, Henning Froehlich, Laura Doetsch, Jonas Schimmer, Sabine C. Herpertz, Beate Ditzen, Christian P. Schaaf, Kai Schoenig, Dusan Bartsch, Anna Gugula, Aleksandra Trenk, Anna Blasiak, Javier E. Stern, Pascal Darbon, Valery Grinevich, Alexandre Charlet
Summary: The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin activates oxytocin-receptor expressing GABA neurons in the periaqueductal grey, reducing pain-like behaviors in rats. The discovery of this analgesic pathway provides insight into the analgesic effects of oxytocin.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Ekaterina Schneider, Dora Hopf, Corina Aguilar-Raab, Dirk Scheele, Andreas B. Neubauer, Uta Sailer, Rene Hurlemann, Monika Eckstein, Beate Ditzen
Summary: This study investigated the association between affectionate touch and subjective well-being, as well as salivary oxytocin and cortisol during the Covid-19 pandemic. The results showed that affectionate touch was associated with decreased anxiety, stress, and increased oxytocin levels. Affectionate touch was also associated with decreased cortisol levels and higher happiness.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ekaterina Schneider, Dora Hopf, Monika Eckstein, Dirk Scheele, Corina Aguilar-Raab, Sabine C. Herpertz, Valery Grinevich, Beate Ditzen
Summary: Self-reported pain levels during the COVID-19 pandemic were found to be associated with increased stress levels. This study aimed to predict momentary pain levels during high-stress phases, such as COVID-related lockdowns, using individual stress levels and momentary oxytocin levels. The results showed significant positive associations between stress levels and both physical and emotional pain, as well as lower oxytocin levels associated with higher emotional pain levels.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Katharina van Stein, Kathrin Schubert, Beate Ditzen, Cornelia Weise
Summary: Endometriosis is the second most common gynecological disease, causing severe pain, vegetative impairment, and infertility. This review utilizes the Research Domain Criteria framework to explore the connection between immune/endocrinological dysregulation, pain chronification processes, and psychological symptoms. The paper discusses potential treatment approaches and the need for further research to understand the interdependence of factors involved in the chronic development of endometriosis. Standard care should be expanded to address pain, psychological burden, and social isolation in order to improve patients' quality of life.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ekaterina Schneider, Cristobal Hernandez, Monika Eckstein, Robert Brock, Guy Bodenmann, Markus Heinrichs, Ulrike Ehlert, Beate Ditzen
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Martin Stoffel, Stefanie Rahn, Andreas B. Neubauer, Markus Moessner, Corina Aguilar -Raab, Beate Ditzen
Summary: This study found that levels of DNA methylation (DNAm) of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) were associated with dysregulation of the sympatho-adrenal medullary (SAM) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In healthy individuals, higher levels of SLC6A4 DNAm were associated with higher levels of alpha-amylase (sAA), but not with cortisol (sCort) levels. Furthermore, within-person analysis showed that higher levels of SLC6A4 DNAm were associated with lower levels of both sAA and sCort. These results provide insight into the role of SLC6A4 DNAm in the association between environmental stress and stress axes regulation.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Katja Schmalenberger, Tory Eisenlohr-Moul, Beate Ditzen
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lea Joana Stein, Sabine Roesner, Alessandra Lo Giudice, Beate Ditzen, Tewes Wischmann
Summary: This article discusses the predictive factors of infertility treatment. Through a 5-year follow-up survey of 95 women and 82 men, it was found that maternal age has an effect on infertility treatment, while the relevance of other possible predictors remains unclear. Further large-scale studies should be conducted to increase our understanding of their predictive power.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Monika Eckstein, Gabriela Stoessel, Martin Fungisai Gerchen, Edda Bilek, Peter Kirsch, Beate Ditzen
Summary: Research shows that complimenting each other activates brain areas involved in empathy and reward processing, especially when selecting compliments for the partner. This suggests that expressing compliments to a romantic partner triggers the brain's reward mechanism, which plays a significant role in protecting and stabilizing romantic relationships.
SOCIAL COGNITIVE AND AFFECTIVE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)