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Role of Oxytocin in Different Neuropsychiatric, Neurodegenerative, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

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Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology

Part of the book series: Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology ((REVIEWS,volume 186))

Abstract

Oxytocin has recently gained significant attention because of its role in the pathophysiology and management of dominant neuropsychiatric disorders. Oxytocin, a peptide hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus, is released into different brain regions, acting as a neurotransmitter. Receptors for oxytocin are present in many areas of the brain, including the hypothalamus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens, which have been involved in the pathophysiology of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Animal studies have spotlighted the role of oxytocin in social, behavioral, pair bonding, and mother–infant bonding. Furthermore, oxytocin protects fetal neurons against injury during childbirth and affects various behaviors, assuming its possible neuroprotective characteristics. In this review, we discuss some of the concepts and mechanisms related to the role of oxytocin in the pathophysiology and management of some neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

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Abbreviations

ADHD:

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

ASD:

Autism spectrum disorder

BBB:

Blood-brain barrier

CGRP:

Calcitonin gene-related peptide

CREB:

The cAMP-responsive element-binding protein

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

EEG:

Electroencephalogram

eEF2:

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2

eNOS:

Endothelial NO synthase

GPCR:

G-protein-coupled receptor

IN:

Intranasal

iNOS:

Inducible nitric oxide synthase

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinase

NMDA:

N-methyl-D-aspartate

NO:

Nitric oxide

OT:

Oxytocin

OTR:

Oxytocin receptor

PANSS:

Positive and negative symptoms scale

PD:

Parkinson’s disease

PPD:

Postpartum depression

PTZ:

Pentylenetetrazole

PVN:

Paraventricular nuclei

SCZ:

Schizophrenia

SON:

Supraoptic nuclei

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt

    Aya A. Ghazy

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt

    Omar A. Soliman, Aya I. Elbahnasi, Aya Y. Alawy, Amira Ma Mansour & Mennatallah A. Gowayed

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  1. Aya A. Ghazy
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Ghazy, A.A., Soliman, O.A., Elbahnasi, A.I., Alawy, A.Y., Mansour, A.M., Gowayed, M.A. (2022). Role of Oxytocin in Different Neuropsychiatric, Neurodegenerative, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. In: Pedersen, S.H.F. (eds) Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology. Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, vol 186. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/112_2022_72

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