Oxytocin

Denis C, Stojilkovic S, Wang KY, Márquez C, Kleinwächter AC, Baudon A, et al.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)

Using calcium imaging, genetic tools, and anatomical mapping in mice and rats, this study produced a brain-wide map of oxytocin receptor expression and found functional receptors on astrocytes across many brain regions, with receptor-expressing astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens modulating affiliative social behavior — indicating a glial, not purely neuronal, basis for oxytocin receptor signaling.

Li S, Yang J, Cai M, Zhao Z, Zhao X, Li H, et al.

Neuron

In a mouse model of chronic emotional stress, this study identified distinct insula-to-prefrontal cortex projection circuits governing social fear versus social novelty preference, and showed that reduced oxytocin receptor (OXTR) signaling in prelimbic cortex GABAergic interneurons underlies social novelty deficits; restoring OXTR signaling rescued social novelty preference in stressed animals.

Wang Y, Xu H, Chen S, Chen J, Zheng Q, Ma Y, et al.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)

In an MPTP-induced mouse model of nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration, hypothalamic oxytocin and substantia nigra oxytocin receptor signaling activated a GABAergic circuit that reduced excitatory synaptic input onto dopamine neurons, decreasing excitotoxicity and preserving nigrostriatal dopamine signaling in this preclinical model.

Li XH, Matsuura T, Xue M, Chen QY, Liu RH, Lu JS, et al.

Cell reports

In rodent models of neuropathic pain, microinjection of oxytocin into the anterior cingulate cortex reduced nociceptive and anxiety-like behavioral responses by selectively blocking presynaptic long-term potentiation and enhancing inhibitory synaptic transmission onto cortical interneurons, without affecting postsynaptic long-term potentiation.

Peter J, Burbach H, Adan RA, Lolait SJ, van Leeuwen FW, Mezey E, et al.

Cellular and molecular neurobiology

This foundational review characterized the molecular pharmacology of the vasopressin/oxytocin receptor family (V1a, V1b, V2, and oxytocin receptor subtypes), covering structure-activity relationships, species differences in ligand specificity, receptor expression patterns, and signal transduction mechanisms.