Neurobiology of social attachments

Abstract

a b s t r a c tMany types of social attachments can be observed in nature. We discuss the neurobiology of two types (1) intraspecific (with a partner) and (2) parental (with the offspring). Stimuli related to copulation facilitate the first, whereas pregnancy, parturition and lactation facilitate the second. Both types develop as consequence of cohabitation. These events seem to stimulate similar neural pathways that increase (1) social recognition, (2) motivation, reward; and (3) decrease fear/anxiety. Subregions of the amygdala and cortex facilitate social recognition and also disinhibition to decrease rejection responses. The interrelationship between MeA, BNST, LS may mediate the activation of NAcc via the mPOA to increase motivation and reward. Cortical areas such as the ACC discriminate between stimuli. The interaction between OT and D2-type receptors in NAcc shell facilitates intraspecific attachment, but D1-type appears to facilitate parental attachment. This difference may be important for maternal females to direct their attention, motivation and expression of attachment toward the appropriate target.

Current Evidence of the Monoaminergic Regulation of Romantic Love and Relationship

“…In the late stage, attachment love accompanies and implements with romantic love [20] to generate secure and spiritual bond, such as safety, balance of feeling, tranquility, commitment, intimacy [17], calmness and empathy [19] [21]. DA is known to cross-talk with a few neuropeptides, especially the oxytocin, in ventral striatum to initiate and promote attachment [22] [23]. Therefore, a mild decline and then plateau of mesolimbic and mesocortical DAergism from early to late stage of romantic relationship may represent a shift of infatuation and other obsessive behaviors to harmonic interaction in romantic lovers although passion decreases but still preserves.…”

Personality Disorders, Attachment and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

“…Sexual hormones, neuropeptides such as oxytocin, vasopressin and endogenous opioids, and neurotransmitters including dopamine, among others, play a key role in the development and maintenance of attachment behavior in humans and in other animals [50]. …”

“…For example, primary sensory areas and more specialized structures (e.g. the fusiform face area) are involved in social perceptual processes [51] that are crucial for social recognition, which is a prerequisite for attachment [50]. Emotion processing is regulated in part by regions including the amygdala, in close interaction with the insula, the anterior cingulate cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex [52].…”

“…Emotion processing is regulated in part by regions including the amygdala, in close interaction with the insula, the anterior cingulate cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex [52]. In order for attachment to occur, neural pathways associated with fear and avoidance must be inhibited, while circuits mediating reward and motivation must be activated [50]. In the current paper, we will focus on the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in social cognition and attachment behavior.…”

Apego en el postparto precoz: comparación entre madres de neonatos ingresados en el Servicio de Obstetricia y en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales

“…La madre, figura clave para Bowlby, comienza a establecer el apego materno durante el embarazo y el parto, debido a la acción de hormonas como la oxitocina, el cortisol o la vasopresina (6,7) , a la situación psicológica y la interacción del sistema límbico (8,9,10,11) y a las redes y soportes que la rodean (9,12,13,14,15,16) .…”