Oxytocin: The love hormone also improves memory

Oxytocin is part of the so-called “happiness quartet,” a group of hormones that are important in our mood, along with… Serotoninthe Dopamine And the Endorphins.

“This term has become popular because… Positive effect That they have in our Emotional well-being. Each of them plays an important role, and together they contribute to generating a feeling of happiness and well-being. These hormones Neurotransmitters He explained that these elements are produced in different parts of the body and have specific effects on the brain information In a recent note, Dr. Laura Mafi(MN 62441), Endocrinologist, Stress Specialist, Director of MAVI Medical Center.

He added: “Oxytocin is known for its role in forming social bonds and establishing relationships.” Emotional relationshipsIt can also reduce its levels anxiety And pressure. It is known in colloquial language as “Love hormone”. It plays an essential role in social relationships and emotional attachment. “It is released during physical contact, such as hugs and kisses,” the doctor said.

Oxytocin (OXT) is a hormone known for its effects on psychological health and emotional bonding in animals. Interestingly, research has shown that this natural brain chemical also plays a crucial role in other functions Cognitive processesincluding to learn And the memory. Now, scientists say they have discovered exactly how OXT affects memory in animals by studying “OXT neurons” that contain OXT receptors and function differently depending on the availability of the chemical in the brain.

in Stady It was recently published in PLOS One, a group of researchers led by Prof Akiyoshi Saitohwith Junpei Takahashi Subordinate Tokyo University of Science, They investigated the complex neural pathways and signaling mechanisms activated by OXT. They have provided unprecedented insights into its effects on learning and memory.

“We previously suggested that oxytocin could be a new therapeutic candidate for dementia based on studies using a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease,” Saitoh said.

In this previous study, researchers at Tokyo University of Science showed through an experiment in mice that a modified oxytocin derivative improved brain perfusion and reversed cognitive decline caused by the protein.

Professor Saito continued: “To investigate this further, the team of scientists in this study examined the role of endogenous OXT in… Cognitive function of the mouse. This was done by using pharmacogenetic techniques to specifically activate the protein nervous cells OXT in certain areas of the brain. The cognitive function of the mice was then assessed using the Novel Object Recognition Task (NORT).

Research emphasizes the important role of OXT in regulating… memory Social. A deficiency of OXT or its receptors has been linked to abnormal social memory in mice. However, this innovative study shifts the focus to the role of autonomic OXTergic projections in learning and memory, particularly within the suprapapillary nucleus (SuM).

to identify nervous cells Responsible for the effect of OXT on memory, the researchers visualized slices of brain of the mouse after activating OXT neurons specifically in the paraventricular subthalamic nucleus (PVN), observing positive signals in the PVN and their projections to the SuM. Further validation of OXTergic neuronal activation was confirmed by the increase in c-Fos positive cells (indicating neuronal activation) in the PVN after administration of clozapine N-oxide (used to activate neurons).

Furthermore, the study focused on the effect of activating OXTergic neurons in… Learning and memory Using the Y-maze and NORT. Surprisingly, no changes in short-term spatial memory were observed in the Y-maze test. However, activation of OXTergic neurons significantly enhanced spatial memory. Recognizing things in the long term in the north.

Interestingly, there is an increased number of c-Fos positive neurons in the SuM and dentate gyrus (an intrahippocampal region of the brain) after NORT indicated the involvement of OXTergic neurons in Long-term memory maintenance Through these areas. In addition, the team used selective activation of OXTergic axons in the SuM, which caused mice to spend more time exploring new objects, suggesting a direct modulation of object recognition memory through the projection of OXTergic axons from the PVN to the SuM.

This study reveals, for the first time, the involvement of OXT in object recognition memory through the SuM. Suggests potential implications for understanding the physiological role of OXT in… Alzheimer's disease It highlights the involvement of OXTergic expectations in modifying Recognition memory.

“There is a widely recognized belief that dementia tends to progress more rapidly in environments where people suffer from it Feeling lonely or limited social participation. However, the scientific underpinnings of this phenomenon remain largely elusive. Our research seeks to clarify the critical role of the stimulating environment that activates Oxytocin In the brain, which may reduce the progression of the disease Dementia“Continued exploration of this field is expected to pave the way for innovative pharmaceutical treatments and interventions aimed at halting the progression of dementia,” explained Professor Saitoh.