Possible Interaction: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Oxytocin

“In the immature rat hippocampal and neocortical neurons at birth, endogenous OXT induced a switch in the action of GABA from excitatory to inhibitory.”

“The GABA innervation appears to play a role in patterning the pulsatile discharge of oxytocin cells that is observed both during parturition and during suckling-induced reflex milk ejection (Moos, 1995; Voisin et al. 1995).”

“Animal and early fetal developmental studies suggest an inter-dependent role of oxytocin and GABA in regulating social behaviors.”

“ Oxytocin also prominently directs the transition of neuronal GABA neurotransmission from excitatory to inhibitory after birth.”

“During a brief period from just before to just after birth, maternal oxytocin temporarily renders GABA inhibitory, possibly by reducing NKCC1 activity, which protects the developing brain from peripartum hypoxic insults.”

“It is possible that nitric oxide, but not GABA , may contribute to the feedback system of OXT neurons in chronic inflammation.”

“In this regard, at the cortical level, oxytocin can modulate the GABAergic transmission; consequently, an interaction modulating nociception could exist between oxytocin and GABA at RAIC.”

“ Oxytocin release causes an increase in the neurotransmitters noradrenaline, acetylcholine, glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the olfactory bulb, and other brain regions important for maternal behaviour.”

“ OT increased the basal levels of extracellular GABA in mPFC and DHC of mice, and inhibited the MAP‐induced GABA decrease in DHC.”

“In vitro, oxytocin induces a massive release of GABA from neurons in the lateral division of the central amygdala which results in inhibition of a subpopulation of peripherally projecting neurons in the medial division of the central amygdala (CeM).”