Anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insular cortex and altruistic behaviors; a hypothetical role for oxytocin

This paper reviews evidence that neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and anterior insular cortex (AI) are involved in the production of altruistic behaviors. But because so many other cognitive and behavioral functions have been ascribed to ACC and AI, one must ask: how might mechanisms producing altruistic behaviors be distinguished from those for other functions? We hypothesize that oxytocin actions in ACC and AI can provide mechanisms fostering altruistic behaviors. Secondarily, we hypothesize that von Economo neurons participate in oxytocin's support of altruistic behaviors.