Oxytocin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide recognized for its role in regulating love, bonding, and connection. In this capacity, oxytocin has been documented to promote affiliative and other social behaviors in various species which culminates in greater salience of social cues, commitment to established relationships, and pro-social states allowing for trust, openness, generosity, and empathy. Oxytocin can be released during periods of social intimacy such as warm and affectionate touch, eye contact, and sex. Still, there is evidence which indicates that the role of oxytocin expands beyond positive social engagements. Oxytocin levels have been observed to be elevated during periods of fear, stress, anguish, and pain. Examples of such elevations occur with relationship distress, social isolation, social conflict, and physical and perceived pain.
This Research Topic is focused to illuminate the role of oxytocin as an analgesic and anxiolytic (and, at times, anxiogenic). Pre-clinical studies have documented mechanisms of action for oxytocin as it relates uniquely to stress and pain, including neurocircuitry and cellular and molecular mechanisms. In addition, clinical studies have been exploring the indication of oxytocin for mood, affective, and pain disorders.
We bring together, in this Research Topic, investigators from neuroscience, psychology, and clinical practice to provide a deeper understanding of the biological basis and clinical use of oxytocin action during stress and pain states. Therefore, this Research Topic will accept manuscripts in the form of Original Research, Systematic Review, Review, Mini-Review, and Clinical Trial articles.
Themes (but not limited to) to be addressed:
· Processing of stressful or fear-inducing information by oxytocin-sensitive systems.
· Neural circuitry and mechanisms underlying oxytocin as a modulator of stress and pain states.
· Pharmacological evidence of oxytocin regulation of stress or pain responses.
· Clinical use of oxytocin for treatment of mood, affective, and pain disorders.
Oxytocin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide recognized for its role in regulating love, bonding, and connection. In this capacity, oxytocin has been documented to promote affiliative and other social behaviors in various species which culminates in greater salience of social cues, commitment to established relationships, and pro-social states allowing for trust, openness, generosity, and empathy. Oxytocin can be released during periods of social intimacy such as warm and affectionate touch, eye contact, and sex. Still, there is evidence which indicates that the role of oxytocin expands beyond positive social engagements. Oxytocin levels have been observed to be elevated during periods of fear, stress, anguish, and pain. Examples of such elevations occur with relationship distress, social isolation, social conflict, and physical and perceived pain.
This Research Topic is focused to illuminate the role of oxytocin as an analgesic and anxiolytic (and, at times, anxiogenic). Pre-clinical studies have documented mechanisms of action for oxytocin as it relates uniquely to stress and pain, including neurocircuitry and cellular and molecular mechanisms. In addition, clinical studies have been exploring the indication of oxytocin for mood, affective, and pain disorders.
We bring together, in this Research Topic, investigators from neuroscience, psychology, and clinical practice to provide a deeper understanding of the biological basis and clinical use of oxytocin action during stress and pain states. Therefore, this Research Topic will accept manuscripts in the form of Original Research, Systematic Review, Review, Mini-Review, and Clinical Trial articles.
Themes (but not limited to) to be addressed:
· Processing of stressful or fear-inducing information by oxytocin-sensitive systems.
· Neural circuitry and mechanisms underlying oxytocin as a modulator of stress and pain states.
· Pharmacological evidence of oxytocin regulation of stress or pain responses.
· Clinical use of oxytocin for treatment of mood, affective, and pain disorders.
