Cited by 1,044Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorHuman-Animal Interaction Studies

The Challenge of Translation in Social Neuroscience: A Review of Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Affiliative Behavior

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Insel, Thomas R.·2010·Neuron

Abstract

Social neuroscience is rapidly exploring the complex territory between perception and action where recognition, value, and meaning are instantiated. This review follows the trail of research on oxytocin and vasopressin as an exemplar of one path for exploring the "dark matter" of social neuroscience. Studies across vertebrate species suggest that these neuropeptides are important for social cognition, with gender- and steroid-dependent effects. Comparative research in voles yields a model based on interspecies and intraspecies variation of the geography of oxytocin receptors and vasopressin V1a receptors in the forebrain. Highly affiliative species have receptors in brain circuits related to reward or reinforcement. The neuroanatomical distribution of these receptors may be guided by variations in the regulatory regions of their respective genes. This review describes the promises and problems of extrapolating these findings to human social cognition, with specific reference to the social deficits of autism.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.03.005

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  • In animals, oxytocin increases social approach and social memory, both of which are impaired in persons with autism.

    “In animals, oxytocin increases social approach and social memory,1 both of which are impaired in persons with autism.”
  • OXT promotes the formation of pair-bonds in females, while arginine vasopressin is more important in males.

    “Research on monogamous mammals, particularly prairie voles, has shown that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) promotes the formation of pair-bonds in females, with a related peptide, argininevasopressin being more important in males (Donaldson and Young, 2008;Insel, 2010).”

    From Oxytocin Modulates Social Distance between Males and Females (2012) · cites this paper as Insel, 2010

  • The oxytocin receptor has long been associated with the display of social behavior in rodents.

    “The last candidate gene we examined, the oxytocin receptor, has long been associated with the display of social behavior in rodents [34].”
  • These studies suggest that oxytocin facilitates affiliation and social attachment.

    “These studies suggest that oxytocin facilitates affiliation and social attachment [548].”
  • A contributive mechanism regulating in-group cooperation during intergroup conflicts in humans involves the neuropeptide hormone oxytocin.

    “Studies suggest that a contributive mechanism regulating in-group cooperation during intergroup conflicts in humans involves the neuropeptide hormone oxytocin, known to influence trust, coordination, and social cognition, although evidence from natural settings is lacking.”

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Authors
Insel, T. R.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Insel, Thomas R.
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-03
Volume
65
Issue
6
Pages
768-779
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2166273490
Cited by
1,044
References
140
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 53 · 2022: 57 · 2021: 64 · 2020: 68 · 2019: 65 · 2018: 73 · 2017: 72 · 2016: 76 · 2015: 75 · 2014: 98 · 2013: 80 · 2012: 89
FWCI
9.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (Z99 MH999999)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
Keywords
oxytocin, vasopressin, affiliative behavior, social cognition, oxytocin receptor, vasopressin V1a receptor, voles, social behavior genetics, reward systems, autism spectrum disorder, gender differences, steroid hormones, neuropeptides
MeSH terms
Animals, Humans, Nerve Net, Neurosciences, Oxytocin, Social Behavior, Protein Biosynthesis, Vasopressins

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