Developmental experiences and the oxytocin receptor system
Karen L Bales1, Allison M Perkeybile
1Dept of Psychology, One Shields Ave., University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. klbales@ucdavis.edu
Hormones and Behavior
|January 17, 2012
Summary
Early life experiences shape social behavior and oxytocin systems. This review models how early events impact oxytocin receptors, informing treatments for developmental disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The long-term effects of early life experiences on social behavior and the underlying neuropeptide systems, like oxytocin, remain poorly understood.
- Oxytocin plays a crucial role in social behaviors, but how developmental experiences modify its system is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of various early life experiences on oxytocin receptor binding.
- To synthesize existing literature into a predictive model for how early experiences influence oxytocin receptor binding potential.
- To assess the functional significance of these experience-induced changes in oxytocin receptors.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on normal development, knockout models, pharmacological exposures, and early social experiences.
- Analysis of studies examining the relationship between early experiences and oxytocin receptor binding.
- Synthesis of findings to develop a predictive model of experience-dependent changes in oxytocin receptor binding potential.
Main Results:
- Early life experiences can significantly alter oxytocin receptor binding.
- The directionality of these effects depends on the type and nature of the early experience.
- Changes in oxytocin receptor binding potential due to early experiences may have functional significance for social behavior.
Conclusions:
- Early developmental experiences critically influence the oxytocin system, impacting social behavior.
- Understanding these effects is vital for developing targeted interventions for developmental disorders.
- The predictive model offers insights into potential therapeutic strategies using oxytocin for conditions like autism and schizophrenia.
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