Oxytocin and socioemotional aging: Current knowledge and future trends

Abstract

The oxytocin (OT) system is involved in various aspects of social cognition and prosocial behavior. Specifically, OT has been examined in the context of social memory, emotion recognition, cooperation, trust, empathy, and bonding, and—though evidence is somewhat mixed-intranasal OT appears to benefit aspects of socioemotional functioning. However, most of the extant data on aging and OT is from animal research and human OT research has focused largely on young adults. As such, though we know that various socioemotional capacities change with age, we know little about whether age-related changes in the OT system may underlie age-related differences in socioemotional functioning. In this review, we take a genetic-neuro-behavioral approach and evaluate current evidence on age-related changes in the OT system as well as the putative effects of these alterations on age-related socioemotional functioning. Looking forward, we identify informational gaps and propose an Age-Related Genetic, Neurobiological, Sociobehavioral Model of Oxytocin (AGeNeS-OT model) which may structure and inform investigations into aging-related genetic, neural, and sociocognitive processes related to OT. As an exemplar of the use of the model, we report exploratory data suggesting differences in socioemotional processing associated with genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) in samples of young and older adults. Information gained from this arena has translational potential in depression, social stress, and anxiety-all of which have high relevance in aging—and may contribute to reducing social isolation and improving well-being of individuals across the lifespan.

Cognition as a target in major depression: New developments

“…A small number of studies have addressed the effects of OT in clinically depressed patients. It is necessary to better understand how oxytocin influences cognition since it seems to be mediated by different factors and contexts (Ebner et al, 2013). Further studies in clinically depressed patients or remitted patients are warranted.…”

Oligomerization of GPCRs involved in endocrine regulation

“…The OTR and OT are involved in memory and learning, stress regulation and anxiety, and aggressive, sexual and maternal behaviors (e.g. Argiolas 1992, Malik et al 2012, Ebner et al 2013. Moreover, the OTR is involved in thermoregulation and brain development (Gimpl & Fahrenholz 2001, Kasahara et al 2013).…”

Genetics and Functional Imaging: Effects of APOE, BDNF, COMT, and KIBRA in Aging

“…None of these effects were present in younger adults. Ebner et al (2013) investigated the association of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR, rs237887) polymorphism, previously associated with susceptibility to prosocial behavior, to face recognition and BOLD activity in younger and older adults. Results showed that OXTR modulated activity in anterior cingulate cortex of older adults only.…”