The DOI matches its Crossref record; 77 of the 79 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Genes, brains and mammalian social bonds
Abstract
Recent studies of monogamous species have revealed the role of the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin in activating reward mechanisms of the brain that are involved in establishing partner recognition and selective 'bonding'. The evolutionary history of these findings resides, at a mechanistic level, in the reciprocal bonding between mother and infant that is common to all mammals. However, in Old World primates, where mother and infant alone would not survive, living in large social groups brings extended family relationships and provides for alloparenting. This has required the emancipation of parenting behaviour from the constraints of hormonal state and the evolution of large brains for decision making that was previously restricted and determined by hormonal state. How this has been achieved, what conserved mechanisms underpin social bonding, and what genetic and mechanistic changes have occurred in the evolution of social bonds are the issues addressed here.
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In the citing paper
“Also, as oxytocin is thought to act on positive feedback circuits [16,17,21], sharers may experience a mutual increase in positive attitude [15,79,80], resulting in the promotion of stronger social bonds and longer-term benefits of more frequent cooperation [23,26,80].”
From Food sharing is linked to urinary oxytocin levels and bonding in related and unrelated wild chimpanzees (2014) · cites this paper as [17]
In the citing paper
“Comparative study can show the processes by which competing behavioral and physiological demands on common neural systems interact and constrain each other during evolution (Curley and Keverne, 2005; Goodson and Thompson, 2010).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Curley and Keverne, 2005
In the citing paper
“Research indicates that interactions of the oxytocinergic system with behavior, social environment, and endocrinological environment may be more nuanced in primates than rodents (Curley and Keverne, 2005).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Curley and Keverne, 2005
Citations
Cites
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Clutton‐Brock, T. H. (2019) · Princeton University Press eBooks · doi:10.2307/j.ctvs32ssj · Cited by 3,143
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“Specifically, it is the release of AVP from the hypothalamus during the extended tactile stimulation of mating, interacting with dopamine (DA) in another phylogenetically old part of the brain (ventral striatum) that is required for pair-bond formation [13, 19 ].”
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Oxytocin in the Medial Amygdala is Essential for Social Recognition in the Mouse
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Items 201–213 of 213
Wikström, P. H., Treiber, K., & Roman, G. D. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198865865.003.0005
The Peterborough Adolescent and Young Adult Development Study (PADS+)
Wikström, P. H., Treiber, K., & Roman, G. D. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198865865.003.0003
Crime Propensity and Criminogenic Exposure
Wikström, P. H., Treiber, K., & Roman, G. D. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198865865.003.0009
Criminogenic Circumstances and Exposure
Wikström, P. H., Treiber, K., & Roman, G. D. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198865865.003.0007
Wikström, P. H., Treiber, K., & Roman, G. D. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198865865.005.0001
Adult Social Relationships in Primates
Manca, C., & Bales, K. L. (2024) · Masterclass in neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-51112-7_2
The State and Public Services: The Welfare State
Kinder, T. (2025) · Contributions to Public Administration and Public Policy · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-81140-1_6
The Neural and Genetic Basis of Romantic Love
Acevedo, B. P., Bartels, A., Sainz‐Ballesteros, A., & Grassi, P. R. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-94512-0_63
Epigenetics and Maternal Brain Evolution
Keverne, E. B. (2013) · Epigenetics and human health · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-36827-1_1
Self-citationTanida, N. (2012) · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB)
Impacts of metallic pollutants on honey bees : from the colony to the brain
Monchanin, C. (2021) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/96ecf2bfz4f00z4f48z990dz819088a03509 · Cited by 3
Kotrschal, K. M. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1800617
The Physiology of Domestic and Wild Dogs
Strasser, R., & Jiménez, A. G. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-31515-1_6
Metadata
- Authors
- Curley, J. P., & Keverne, E. B.
- Affiliations
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Curley, James P.
- ORCID
- Curley, James P.
- Venue
- Trends in Ecology & Evolution
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-10
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 561-567
- ISSN
- 0169-5347 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2146595914
- Cited by
- 214
- References
- 79
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 0.76
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Ecology & Evolution (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Leverhulme Trust
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Keywords
- social bonding, oxytocin, vasopressin, neuropeptides, monogamy, partner identification, maternal-infant bonding, alloparenting, primate social evolution, brain evolution, reward processing, hormonal status, extended family, Old World primates
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