title: Prosocial effects of oxytocin and clinical evidence for its therapeutic potential.
abstract: There has been unprecedented interest in the prosocial effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin in humans over the last decade. A range of studies has demonstrated correlations between basal oxytocin levels and the strength of social and bonding behaviors both in healthy individuals and in those suffering from psychiatric disorders. Mounting evidence suggests associations between polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene and prosocial behaviors and there may also be important epigenetic effects. Many studies have now reported a plethora of prosocial effects of intranasal application of oxytocin, including the domains of trust, generosity, socially reinforced learning, and emotional empathy. The main focus of this review will be to summarize human preclinical work and particularly the rapidly growing number of clinical studies which have identified important links between oxytocin and a wide range of psychiatric disorders, and have now started to directly assess its therapeutic potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Striepens
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kendrick
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hurlemann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010121:Oxytocin