Cited by 954Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Balance of brain oxytocin and vasopressin: implications for anxiety, depression, and social behaviors

Neumann, Inga D., Landgraf, Rainer·2012·Trends in Neurosciences

Abstract

Oxytocin and vasopressin are regulators of anxiety, stress-coping, and sociality. They are released within hypothalamic and limbic areas from dendrites, axons, and perikarya independently of, or coordinated with, secretion from neurohypophysial terminals. Central oxytocin exerts anxiolytic and antidepressive effects, whereas vasopressin tends to show anxiogenic and depressive actions. Evidence from pharmacological and genetic association studies confirms their involvement in individual variation of emotional traits extending to psychopathology. Based on their opposing effects on emotional behaviors, we propose that a balanced activity of both brain neuropeptide systems is important for appropriate emotional behaviors. Shifting the balance between the neuropeptide systems towards oxytocin, by positive social stimuli and/or psychopharmacotherapy, may help to improve emotional behaviors and reinstate mental health.

Integrity signals

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.tins.2012.08.004

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135 of 135 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • In general, central OT is anxiolytic, antidepressive, and prosocial, whereas AVP is anxiogenic and can heighten depressive-type behaviors.

    “In general, central OT is anxiolytic, antidepressive, and prosocial, whereas AVP is anxiogenic and can heighten depressive-type behaviors (8).”
  • Despite similar chemical structures of OT, AVP, and their receptors, the two peptides can have distinct or even opposing roles in many behavioral and physiological functions.

    “Although the chemical structures of OT and AVP as well as their receptors are quite similar, OT and AVP can have distinct or even opposing actions.”
  • Decreased oxytocin levels have been linked with depression (not only postpartum depression) and maternal neglect.

    “Although oxytocin facilitates parturition and lactation in females, decreased oxytocin levels have been linked with depression (not only postpartum depression) and maternal neglect [362,363].”

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Authors
Neumann, I. D., & Landgraf, R.
Affiliations
  • University of Regensburg (DE)
  • Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (DE)
Corresponding author
Neumann, Inga D.
Venue
Trends in Neurosciences
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-11
Volume
35
Issue
11
Pages
649-659
ISSN
0166-2236 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2069300470
Cited by
954
References
135
Citations by year
2026: 40 · 2025: 59 · 2024: 61 · 2023: 54 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 89 · 2020: 75 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 74 · 2017: 74 · 2016: 73 · 2015: 86 · 2014: 76 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 2
FWCI
9.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Trends in Neurosciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
oxytocin, vasopressin, anxiety, depression, social behavior, stress coping, hypothalamus, limbic system, emotional behavior, psychopharmacological treatment, social stimuli
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Administration, Intranasal, Animals, Anxiety, Brain Chemistry, Depression, Emotions, Female, Homeostasis, Humans, Hypothalamus, Lactation, Limbic System, Male, Models, Biological, Oxytocin, Phobic Disorders, Pregnancy, Reproduction, Rodentia, Social Behavior, Vasopressins, Receptors, Vasopressin, Receptors, Oxytocin, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

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