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The Role of Oxytocin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Concepts and Mechanisms

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Brain Protection in Schizophrenia, Mood and Cognitive Disorders

Abstract

The role of oxytocin in the pathophysiology and treatment of major neuropsychiatric disorders has recently received increased attention. Although oxytocin has an established role as a circulating hormone involved in parturition and lactation, it also acts as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator. Oxytocin receptors are found in several brain areas such as amygdala, nucleus accumbens and hippocampus, which have been heavily implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders. Converging lines of evidences suggest that oxytocin is a key mediator of complex emotional and social behaviors, including attachment, social recognition, and aggression. Moreover, oxytocin alleviates anxiety and impacts on fear conditioning and extinction and on social reward systems. Furthermore, recent data suggest that oxytocin has neuroprotective effects by increasing the resistance of fetal neurons to insults during delivery. Due to its influence upon a wide range of behaviors and its antistress neuroprotective properties the role of oxytocin-related dysfunctions and therapeutics are presently assessed in major neuropsychiatric disorders. In this chapter we will review and summarize some of the mechanisms and concepts relevant to the role of oxytocin in the pathophysiology and therapeutics of neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Abbreviations

ACTH:

adrenocorticotrophic hormone

AMPA:

∝-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole propionic acid

ASD:

autism spectrum disorders

CRH:

corticotrophin-releasing hormone

GABA:

γ-aminobutyric acid

GPCR:

G protein-coupled receptor

HPA:

hypothalamic-pitutary-adrenal

KA:

kainic acid

mGluRs:

metabotropic glutamatergic receptors

NMDA:

N-methyl-D-aspartate

OCD:

obsessive-compulsive

PCP:

phencyclidine

PPI:

prepulse inhibition

PTSD:

posttraumatic stress disorder

SAD:

social anxiety disorder

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Herzog Memorial Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel

    Raz Levin MSc., Shany Edelman MSc., Idan Shalev MSc., Richard P. Ebstein Ph.D. (Professor) & Uriel Heresco-Levy MD (Professor)

  2. Neurobiology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

    Raz Levin MSc., Shany Edelman MSc. & Idan Shalev MSc.

  3. Department of Psychology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

    Richard P. Ebstein Ph.D. (Professor)

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

    Uriel Heresco-Levy MD (Professor)

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  1. Raz Levin MSc.
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  2. Shany Edelman MSc.
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  3. Idan Shalev MSc.
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  4. Richard P. Ebstein Ph.D.
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  5. Uriel Heresco-Levy MD
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Correspondence to Raz Levin MSc. .

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  1. Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center, Hadera, 38814, Israel

    Michael S. Ritsner

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Levin, R., Edelman, S., Shalev, I., Ebstein, R.P., Heresco-Levy, U. (2010). The Role of Oxytocin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Concepts and Mechanisms. In: Ritsner, M. (eds) Brain Protection in Schizophrenia, Mood and Cognitive Disorders. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8553-5_20

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