How oxytocin holds one of the mysteries of memory

Oxytocin (OXT) is a natural hormone made by the brain. She is often nicknamed “The love hormone” Because of its role in improving psychological well-being. In a recent study by Tokyo University of Science, researchers were interested in the role of this hormone in learning and memory.

“Previously, we suggested that oxytocin could be a new therapeutic candidate for dementia, based on studies using a mouse model.

(Animal Experiment Model Editor’s Note.) Alzheimer’s disease. To further explore this question, we investigated the role of endogenous oxytocin in mouse cognitive function.“, explains Professor Akiyoshi Saitoh. To do this, they activated OXT neurons in specific regions of the brain, before evaluating the cognitive function of the rats.

Better recall of objects

The findings were published in the scientific journal PLOS One. The researchers observed that oxytocin plays an important role in regulating social memory. To identify the neurons responsible for this effect, they visualized different slices of mouse brain after specifically activating OXT neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN).

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The results? Mice that activated oxytocin-specific neurons located within the supramammillary nucleus (SuM) had better object recall. “This study demonstrates for the first time the involvement of oxytocin in object recognition memory via the supramammillary nucleus”Convince the authors.

“Our research seeks to elucidate the critical role of a stimulating environment in activating oxytocin in the brain, potentially reducing the progression of dementia.

“, explains Professor Saitoh. This pathway may contribute to the development of treatments against dementia.

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