Possible Interaction: Oxytocin and Serotonin

“Signalling between oxytocin OT ) and 5-HT has been demonstrated during neurodevelopment and in the regulation of specific emotion-based behaviours.”

“Our results show that oxytocin administration in nonhuman primates influences serotoninergic neurotransmission via at least two ways: (1) by provoking a release of serotonin in key limbic regions; and (2) by increasing the availability of 5-HT1AR receptors in the same limbic areas.”

“Studies in rodents demonstrated that the interaction between OT and serotonin (5-HT) is critical for several aspects of social behavior.”

“Using PET scan in humans, we have recently found that 5-HT 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) function is modified after intranasal oxytocin intake.”

“We found that oxytocin provokes the release of serotonin , which in turn impacts on the serotonin 1A receptor system, by modulating its availability.”

“Recent work indicates that reciprocal interactions between serotonin and other systems, such as oxytocin , may be particularly important for social behavior.”

“The interconnections between the serotonin and oxytocin pathways in the brain suggest that changes in oxytocin levels - arising from natural or drug-induced stimuli - lead to measureable changes in mood.”

“Also, interactions of the 5-HT system with other neuropeptides(arginine vasopressin, oxytocin , neuropeptide Y, opioid) have emerged as important neurobiological determinants of aggression.”

“RESULTS In humans, OT an d 5-H T we re negatively correlated with each other (p < .05) and this relationship was most prominent in children less than 11 years old.”

“Reciprocal relationships have been described between brain oxytocin and serotonin systems during development.”

“We further suggest that combinatorial neuropharmacology approaches should exploit the interactions between OT and serotonin to regulate social functions.”

“By highlighting the role of OXT in the regulation of 5-HT signaling, our findings can lead to novel therapeutic strategies for mental disorders such as social anxiety, depression, and autism.”

“The present study reveals a previously unidentified form of interaction between these two systems in the human brain, i.e., the role of OXT in the inhibitory regulation of 5-HT signaling, which could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for mental disorders.”

“The increased serotonin causes a decrease of oxytocin in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and an increase in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the central nucleus of the amygdale, which are associated with social interactions and vital in autism.”

“Given the several activities mediated by both OT and 5-HT , such a relationship might provide new perspectives and insights into psychiatric disorders and/or social relationship disturbances, as well as novel treatment strategies overcoming and/or integrating the serotonergic paradigm.”