Unravelling the neurobiological mechanism of oxytocin on social behaviour and evaluation as a treatment for schizophrenia
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: School of Life Sciences
Abstract
Oxytocin is synthesised in the hypothalamus and acts via oxytocin and vasopressin V1a and V1b receptors in the CNS where it is a key regulator of social behaviour. Accumulating evidence implicates its dysregulation in neuropsychiatric disorders. Oxytocin has received considerable interest as a potential adjunct therapy for the social deficits in schizophrenia, that are resistant to currently available drugs and a major feature impeding patient recovery. This project aims to examine which receptors and brain nuclei are responsible for oxytocin's prosocial effects, and the neural mechanisms that underpin these behaviours in both healthy rodents and rodent models of schizophrenia .
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M008770/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/10/2024 | |||
| 1922854 | Studentship | BB/M008770/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 |
| Description | We have determined the receptor responsbile for oxytocin's abilty to increase social behaviour following peripheral adminsitration in healthy rats, and the receptor underlying oxytocins abilty to decrease phencyclidine induced hyperactivity, an animal model of antipsychotic efficacy. Following this, we have also determined an area of the brain through which these receptors are acting to modulate this behaviour. Other research undetaken has determined the bioactivity of a novel oxytocin compound in vitro using calcium fluorimtery, in cells that endogenously express the oxytocin receptor. |
| Exploitation Route | Preclinical research is to be continued to identify further brain nuclei involved in these behvaiours following oxytocin administration. Clinically, this may be relevant to determine the whether oxytocin could be used as an adjuctive therapy for those with schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders with social dysfunction. |
| Sectors | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Pint of Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Pint of Science is an outreach festival aiming to bring cutting edge research from universities into informal casual environments such as the pub. This year for the Nottingham Beautiful Mind theme we had 3 events across 3 difference areas of neuroscience and psychology. Topics included the psychology of love, mechanisms of memory, potential therapeutic effects of cannabis and the impact of sport on mental health. Alongside our academic speakers each night there were a range of activities for guests to participate in, from microscopes to view slices of rodent brains, VR headsets and memory challenges. This event sparked much discussion across the 3 evenings with the academics and organisors and had extremely positive feedback. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/city/nottingham |