The Oxytocin network
In all mammals, Oxytocin is mainly produced in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) of the Hypothalamus, a structure which accounts for less than 1% of the brain's weight, yet is crucial to every individuals survival.
Oxytocin modulates different behaviors related to sociality, sexuality, fear, pain and others. Its effects are mediated via its action throughout the brain as a neuropeptide as well as throughout the periphery as a neurohormone.
Our research makes use of highly specific viral vectors and transgenic rats that allow us to specifically target and manipulate the oxytocin system and its associated behavioral outputs. Our goal is to use these tools to uncover the functional anatomy of the central Oxytocin network, which originates in the Hypothalamus and extends to a wide variety of different brain regions containing the Oxytocin receptor.
Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit (ZI) - https://www.zi-mannheim.de