Oxytocin, Vasopressin and Related Peptides in the Regulation of Behavior

A comparative overview of the effects of neuropeptides on behavior, examining parallel findings in both humans and non-human animals.

Elena Choleris (Edited by), Donald W. Pfaff (Edited by), Martin Kavaliers (Edited by)

9780521190350, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 April 2013

405 pages, 39 b/w illus. 13 colour illus. 17 tables
25.2 x 19.1 x 2.3 cm, 1 kg

'It will, however, be quite useful for anybody working in this area, including graduate students. The Medline search … suggests that many researchers are currently moving into this area. These researchers will find this compilation of chapters on social aspects of AVP/OT peptides a great introduction to this field. I, for one, will use this book as a valuable resource.' Geert J. De Vries, American Journal of Human Biology

The mammalian neurohypophyseal peptide hormones oxytocin and vasopressin act to mediate human social behavior - they affect trust and social relationships and have an influence on avoidance responses. Describing the evolutionary roots of the effects that these neuropeptides have on behavior, this book examines remarkable parallel findings in both humans and non-human animals. The chapters are structured around three key issues: the molecular and neurohormonal mechanisms of peptides; phylogenetic considerations of their role in vertebrates; and their related effects on human behavior, social cognition and clinical applications involving psychiatric disorders such as autism. A final chapter summarizes current research perspectives and reflects on the outlook for future developments. Providing a comparative overview and featuring contributions from leading researchers, this is a valuable resource for graduate students, researchers and clinicians in this rapidly developing field.

List of contributors
Preface Elena Choleris, Martin Kavaliers and Donald W. Pfaff
Part I. Oxytocin and Vasopressin Systems – Anatomy, Function, and Development: 1. Oxytocin, vasopressin and their interplay with gonadal steroids Monica B. Dhakar, Erica L. Stevenson and Heather K. Caldwell
2. Oxytocin and vasopressin release and their receptor-mediated intracellular pathways that determine their behavioral effects Inga D. Neumann and Erwin H. van den Burg
3. Regulation of oxytocin and vasopressin secretion: involvement of the calcium amplification pathway through cyclic ADP-ribose and CD38 Haruhiro Higashida, Olga Lopatina and Amina Sarawat
4. The organizational effects of oxytocin and vasopressin: behavioral implications Bruce S. Cushing
Part II. Behavioral Studies - Comparative Approach: 5. Social regulatory functions of vasotocin and isotocin in fish Richmond R. Thompson and James C. Walton
6. Vasotocin modulation of social behaviors in amphibians Sunny K. Boyd
7. Nonapeptide mechanisms of avian social behavior and phenotypic diversity James L. Goodson
8. Oxytocin, vasopressin, and the evolution of mating systems in mammals Sara M. Freeman and Larry J. Young
9. Oxytocin regulation of maternal behavior: from rodents to humans Cort A. Pedersen
10. Oxytocin regulation of social and maternal behavior in sheep Keith M. Kendrick
11. The roles of vasopressin and oxytocin in aggression Jerome H. Pagani, Scott R. Wersinger and W. Scott Young, III
12. The role of vasopressin in flank marking and aggression Craig F. Ferris, Richard H. Melloni, Jr and H. Elliott Albers
13. The involvement of oxytocin and vasopressin in social recognition and social learning: interplay with the sex hormones Riccardo Dore, Anna Phan, Amy E. Clipperton-Allen, Martin Kavaliers and Elena Choleris
14. Oxytocin, vasopressin, sociality and pathogen avoidance Martin Kavaliers and Elena Choleris
15. Oxytocin and addiction: recent preclinical advances and future clinical potential Ian McGregor and Michael T. Bowen
16. Oxytocin and vasopressin in non-human primates Benjamin J. Ragen and Karen L. Bales
Part III. Human Studies: 17. The involvement of oxytocin and vasopressin in fear and anxiety: animal and human studies Yoav Litvin and Donald W. Pfaff
18. Oxytocin instantiates empathy and produces prosocial behaviors Jorge A. Barraza and Paul J. Zak
19. Oxytocin and vasopressin in human sociality and social psychopathologies Richard P. Ebstein, Idan Shalev, Salomon Israel, Florina Uzefovsky, Reut Avinun, Ariel Knafo, Nurit Yirmiya and David Mankuta
20. Oxytocin and autism Joshua J. Green, Bonnie Taylor and Eric Hollander
Conclusion: oxytocin, vasopressin and related peptides in the regulation of behavior. Where next? Elena Choleris, Martin Kavaliers and Donald W. Pfaff
Index.

Subject Areas: Human biology [PSX], Animal behaviour [PSVP], Biology, life sciences [PS]