Oxytocin promotes prosocial behavior and related neural responses in infant macaques at-risk for compromised social development

Abstract

Although positive effects of oxytocin (OT) on social functioning are well-demonstrated, little is known about the mechanisms through which OT may drive early social development, or its therapeutic efficacy in infancy. To address these critical issues, we investigated the effects of exogenous OT on neural (EEG) and behavioral responses during observation of live facial gestures in infant macaques with limited social exposure (i.e. nursery-reared). Three key findings were revealed. First, OT increased alpha suppression over posterior scalp regions during observation of facial gestures but not non-biological movement, suggesting that OT targets self-other matching and attentional cortical networks involved in social perception from very early infancy. Second, OT increased infant production of matching facial gestures and attention towards the most socially-relevant facial stimuli, both behaviors typically silenced by early social deprivation. Third, infants with higher cortisol levels appeared to benefit the most from OT, displaying greater improvements in prosocial behaviors after OT administration. Altogether, these findings suggest that OT promotes prosocial behaviors and associated neural responses likely impacted by early social adversity, and demonstrate the potential of OT administration to ameliorate social difficulties in the context of neurodevelopmental and early-emerging psychiatric disorders, at a developmental stage when brain plasticity is greatest.

Oxytocin receptors influence the development and maintenance of social behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…Many studies 59 – 61 have demonstrated a connection between Oxytocin and social behavior, but the exact role of the two Oxytocin receptors in development and maintenance of social behavior remained to be clarified. Our data indicate that preference for companions develops gradually in wild-type zebrafish in the first few weeks, reaching a maximum social preference at 4 wpf, which is then maintained at a high level until at least 8 wpf.…”

Oxytocin receptors influence the development and maintenance of social behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…Many studies [37][38][39] have demonstrated a connection between Oxytocin and social behavior, but the exact role of the two Oxytocin receptors in development and maintenance of social behavior remained to be clarified. Our data revealed that preference for companions develops gradually in wild-type zebrafish in the first few weeks, reaching a maximum social preference at 4 wpf, which is then maintained at a high level until at least 8 wpf.…”

The mechanism of oxytocin and its receptors in regulating cells in bone metabolism

“…Central OT (COT) is synthesized in the hypothalamus and released into circulation by the neurohypophysis, which plays a significant role in milk excretion and uterine contraction at childbearing age ( Ferreira et al, 2019 ). Although it can increase trust, motivate social participation and group preference, and relieve social stress response as well as has anti-inflammation effects, there is no synthetic metabolic impact on bones ( Breuil et al, 2011 ; Hood et al, 2020 ; Sindermann et al, 2020 ; Festante et al, 2021 ). The evidence suggests that the injection of OT into the lateral ventricle has no effect on OB and OC formation as well as sero-bone conversion markers ( Tamma et al, 2009 ).…”