Oxytocin, motivation and the role of dopamine

Abstract

The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin has drawn the attention of scientists for more than a century. The understanding of the function of oxytocin has expanded dramatically over the years from a simple peptide adept at inducing uterine contractions and milk ejection to a complex neuromodulator with a capacity to shape human social behavior. Decades of research have outlined oxytocin’s ability to enhance intricate social activities ranging from pair bonding, sexual activity, affiliative preferences, and parental behaviors. The precise neural mechanisms underlying oxytocin’s influence on such behaviors have just begun to be understood. Research suggests that oxytocin interacts closely with the neural pathways responsible for processing motivationally relevant stimuli. In particular, oxytocin appears to impact dopaminergic activity within the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, which is crucial not only for reward and motivated behavior but also for the expression of affiliative behaviors. Though most of the work performed in this area has been done using animal models, several neuroimaging studies suggest similar relationships may be observed in humans. In order to introduce this topic further, this paper will review the recent evidence that oxytocin may exert some of its social-behavioral effects through its impact on motivational networks.

Oxytocin pathways in the intergenerational transmission of maternal early life stress

“…This network is comprised of hypothalamic nuclei, importantly the MPOA, the mesocorticolimbic system , which encompasses the amygdala, the hippocampus , the nucleus accumbens (nAcc), the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the pre-frontal cortical regions, the ventral pallidum (Love, 2014; Skuse and Gallagher, 2009; Strathearn, 2011), as well as the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway (Feldman, 2015a). Extensive research in rodents indicates that OTRs are abundantly expressed within this network rendering it sensitive to the effects of OT (Love, 2014; Numan and Stolzenberg, 2009).…”

“…This network is comprised of hypothalamic nuclei, importantly the MPOA, the mesocorticolimbic system , which encompasses the amygdala, the hippocampus , the nucleus accumbens (nAcc), the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the pre-frontal cortical regions, the ventral pallidum (Love, 2014; Skuse and Gallagher, 2009; Strathearn, 2011), as well as the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway (Feldman, 2015a). Extensive research in rodents indicates that OTRs are abundantly expressed within this network rendering it sensitive to the effects of OT (Love, 2014; Numan and Stolzenberg, 2009). Already during the gestational period, the MPOA, which is thought to constitute the core of this network, is hormonally primed, likely through an estrogen (E)-induced upregulation of OTR expression (Bealer et al, 2006; Champagne et al, 2001; Meddle et al, 2007; Numan and Stolzenberg, 2009).…”

Oxytocin Nasal Spray in the Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder and Obesity: A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial

“…The consumption of food (particularly foods rich in carbohydrates and fats), as well as the consumption of substances of abuse, induce rewarding effects, at least in part, through activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic "reward" system that in vulnerable individuals may induce the development of BED and SUDs, respectively [17]. The interactions of central oxytocinergic neurons with the "reward" system are well documented [18]. In animal models, the administration of oxytocin attenuates several behaviors related to different substances of abuse (heroin, alcohol, cocaine, and psychostimulants) [19,20].…”

Gene–culture interactions: a multi-gene approach

“…Furthermore, studies focusing on the effects of the associated neurotransmitter systems have provided behavioral and anatomical reasoning for integrating the effects of these genes. Behaviorally, the neurotransmitter systems-dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin-have all been implicated in social affiliative behaviors (e.g., Bartz et al 2011;Knutson et al 1998;Tamir & Mitchell 2012;Love 2014), including autism spectrum disorders, which are marked by impaired social communication skills (Anderson et al 1990;Holden & Liu 2005;Modahl et al 1992Modahl et al , 1998. Further, experimental manipulations, which alter signaling activity, have demonstrated the role of these neurotransmitter systems in social decision-making processes (Declerck et al 2010;Mikolajczak et al 2010;Sevy et al 2006;Wood et al 2006).…”