Oxytocin News and Research

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Oxytocin is a small but potent nine-amino acid hormone secreted within the brain, from the hypothalamus.

Study offers new insight into the underlying brain mechanisms of sleep apnea-induced hypertension

Nearly 40 million adults in the U.S. have sleep apnea, and more than 30 million of them use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine while sleeping.

23 Jul 2024

Exercise boosts hormone levels: New research shows increased oxytocin and cortisol in urine and saliva

Research shows that both urine and saliva samples effectively capture oxytocin and cortisol fluctuations in response to physical exercise, highlighting the robustness of these non-invasive methods.

22 Jul 2024

Discovery of TRPC5 gene's role in obesity and postnatal depression offers hope for new treatments

Scientists have identified a gene which, when missing or impaired, can cause obesity, behavioral problems and, in mothers, postnatal depression. The discovery, reported today in Cell, may have wider implications for the treatment of postnatal depression, with a study in mice suggesting that oxytocin may alleviate symptoms.

8 Jul 2024

Gene discovery points to oxytocin for depression

While investigating two boys from different families with severe obesity, anxiety, autism, and behavioural problems triggered by sounds or smells, a team led by scientists at the University of Cambridge, UK, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA, discovered that the boys were missing a single gene, known as TRPC5, which sits on the X chromosome.

3 Jul 2024

TRPC5 gene identified as a diagnostic marker of obesity and postpartum depression

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Cambridge and collaborating institutions have discovered that alterations in the human gene TRPC5 cause obesity and postpartum depression.

2 Jul 2024

Touch sensitivity deteriorates with age only in regions of the body with hairless skin

Like most primates, humans are remarkably touchy-feely. Starved of touch, we release more of the stress hormone cortisol, which causes the immune system to be down-regulated and the heart rate and blood pressure to go up.

2 Jul 2024

Study links low oxytocin levels to symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome

The role of oxytocin (OT) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

29 May 2024

Research reveals loneliness as a complex interplay of social impairments, oxytocin, and illness

A recent review in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews presents a multidimensional model of loneliness, exploring its impact on social interactions, the oxytocin system, and illness. The study emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to understand and address loneliness effectively.

28 May 2024

Relaxation interventions can be offered to lactating parents who would like to improve milk supply and increase well-being

A recent study in JAMA Pediatrics explored the utility of relaxation therapy in increasing milk production in human mothers.

9 May 2024

Study explores how cannabis use affects breast milk and lactation

Study reviews the impact of cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation, highlighting potential changes in breast milk composition and lactation due to cannabinoid effects.

3 Apr 2024

WHO releases first roadmap to combat postpartum hemorrhage worldwide

WHO today released its first roadmap to tackle postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) – defined as excessive bleeding after childbirth - which affects millions of women annually and is the world's leading cause of maternal deaths.

27 Mar 2024

Teens bullied in childhood who mistrust others have higher adult mental health risks than those without trust issues

Researchers examined the effect of experiencing bullying in childhood on mental health in adolescence.

15 Feb 2024

Scientists discover how oxytocin influences memory in animals

Oxytocin (OXT) is a hormone that is known for its effects on psychological well-being and emotional bonding in animals.

13 Feb 2024

Genetic link found to emotional sensitivity in stressful situations

situations, suggesting individuals with the A allele may experience increased social sensitivity but struggle with negative interpersonal outcomes.

4 Feb 2024

Study reveals music's universal emotional impact transcends cultural boundaries

Researchers found that music evokes consistent emotional and bodily sensations across cultures, with differences in familiarity and specific body part activations between Western and East-Asian participants.

28 Jan 2024

Study explains why "being in love" makes us tunnel visioned

Love is blind, the saying goes, and thanks to a world-first Australian study, we are now a step closer to understanding why.

13 Jan 2024

Gut microbiota linked to social anxiety behaviors

Study reveals that gut microbiota from individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) can induce social fear behaviors in mice, suggesting a causal role of gut microbes in modulating behaviors relevant to SAD.

2 Jan 2024

Music could hold the key to developing effective mental health interventions

How human beings respond to music and the biological underpinnings of this response.

6 Dec 2023

Chitosan tamponades: A breakthrough in treating postpartum hemorrhage

Researchers highlight chitosan-covered tamponades as a promising, accessible treatment for postpartum hemorrhage, a major cause of maternal mortality, especially where advanced medical interventions are unavailable. This method, safe and effective, offers a crucial option in emergency situations, as detailed in their study, including application guidelines and a demonstration video.

23 Nov 2023

Early life stress circumstances alter more genes in the brain than head injuries

A surprising thing happened when researchers began exploring whether early-life stress compounds the effects of a childhood head injury on health and behavior later in life: In an animal study, stress changed the activation level of many more genes in the brain than were changed by a bump to the head.

13 Nov 2023