Possible Interaction: Dopamine and Oxytocin

“Previous studies indicated that the dopamine– oxytocin interaction may contribute to behavioral disorders.”

“ Oxytocin and dopamine possess significant overlap in the modulation of life-essential behaviors.”

“Bonding is underpinned by crosstalk of oxytocin and dopamine in striatum, combining motivation and vigor with social focus, and their time sensitivity/pulsatility enables reorganization of neural networks.”

“For example, OT may stimulate dopamine release in the ventral striatum, rendering child stimuli more rewarding.”

“ OXT treatment decreased the alpha-methylparatyrosine-induced dopamine utilization in the mesencephalon and in the nucleus accumbens-septal complex.”

“The oxytocin (OXT) and dopamine systems synergistically facilitate striatal reactivity.”

“Research is beginning to show that this system plays a pivotal role in PPD, and together with the interaction between dopamine and oxytocin , these factors may be regulating mood and maternal care-giving behaviors in women.”

“ Brain oxytocin and dopamine systems interact to modulate social cognitive behavior.”

“A cross-talk between the OT system and the dopamine (DA) system has been proposed as the mechanism responsible for the effect (4), because interconnections between OT and DA are found at both the molecular and structural levels.”

“However, the interaction of OT and DA and their roles in antidepressant effects still require further exploration.”