Fresh data on oxytocin are presented in the report 'The peptide that binds: a systematic review of oxytocin and its prosocial effects in humans.' "Oxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in a wide variety of social behaviors in diverse species. Recent research on its effects in humans has generated an arresting picture of its role in the dynamic function of the social brain," scientists writing in the journal Harvard Review of Psychiatry report (see also Oxytocin Therapy).

"This review presents a broad overview of this uniquely social peptide, with a particular focus on extant studies of its effects in humans. After a short discussion of the evolutionary history of the oxytocin system, critical aspects of its peripheral and central physiology, and several salient technical issues surrounding human oxytocin research, a systematic review of studies of the effects of intranasal oxytocin in humans is presented. These effects include alterations in social decision making, processing of social stimuli, certain uniquely social behaviors (e.g., eye contact), and social memory. Oxytocin's prosocial influence is then framed by an evolutionary perspective on its role in mammalian social bonding and attachment. Finally, limitations in current human oxytocin research and oxytocin's potential therapeutic applications are discussed," wrote K. Macdonald and colleagues, University of California, Department of Psychiatry.

The researchers concluded: "Key conclusions are (1) human research with intranasal oxytocin has uniquely enhanced our understanding of the microstructure and function of the human social brain, and (2) the oxytocin system is a promising target for therapeutic interventions in a variety of conditions, especially those characterized by anxiety and aberrations in social function."

Macdonald and colleagues published their study in Harvard Review of Psychiatry (The peptide that binds: a systematic review of oxytocin and its prosocial effects in humans. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 2010;18(1):1-21).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting K. Macdonald, University of California, Dept. of Psychiatry, San Diego, CA USA..

The publisher of the journal Harvard Review of Psychiatry can be contacted at: Taylor & Francis Group Ltd, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxford OX14 4RN United Kingdom.