Central nervous system actions of oxytocin and modulation of behavior in humans. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The posterior pituitary hormone oxytocin has modulatory effects on neural functioning that are significant to the regulation of behavior. Basic research in animals has established the importance of oxytocin in affiliation, including mating, pair bonding and parenting behaviors. It is also an important regulator of feeding, grooming and responses to stress. The actions of oxytocin in the brain are regulated by gonadal steroid hormones, particularly estrogen. Oxytocin might also influence normal behavior in humans, and dysfunctions in the oxytocin system might be involved in the etiology and expression of neuropsychiatric disorders.

publication date

  • June 1, 1997

Research

keywords

  • Behavior
  • Brain
  • Oxytocin
  • Pituitary Gland, Posterior

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0031405063

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/S1357-4310(97)01058-7

PubMed ID

  • 9211418

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 3

issue

  • 6