On the Possibility to Use Oxytocin as A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Memory-Related Psychological Disorders

Abstract

Studies have indicated that oxytocin has an influence on cognitive functions such as attention, memory and emotional regulation, particularly in the context of social and communicative behavior. There is a growing interest in the use of oxytocin as a treatment for memory-related psychological disorders and social cognitive disorders. The ease of access to the brain intranasally, numerous positive evidences and widely advertised as a wonder drug, foster this interest. However, recent studies also have shown that the effect of oxytocin could varied, even leading to reverse results. The factors that lead to the effects of oxytocin and its underlying processes on such variables are still uncertain. The inconsistent evidence of general oxytocin effects on memory and neuropsychological conditions is an important issue in considering oxytocin as an adjunct therapy. Therefore, understanding the effects of oxytocin, within various emotional and social context, is important before oxytocin could be efficiently used for improving learning and communication impairment or managing neuropsychological disorders. Here, we intend to review various theories regarding the effect of oxytocin on memory, accompanied by its mechanisms which are proposed in human and animal experiments. Based on evidence from these studies, we explore the potentials and limitations of oxytocin’s pharmacotherapeutic applications as a treatment to improve neuropsychological disorders.