A recent study published in PLOS One has shed light on the role of oxytocin (OXT), also known as the “love hormone,” in improving memory function. Oxytocin has long been recognized for its influence on emotional bonding and psychological well-being in animals. However, this research suggests that oxytocin also plays a pivotal role in cognitive processes like learning and memory.
The study, led by Professor Akiyoshi Saitoh and Junpei Takahashi from the Tokyo University of Science, investigated the impact of oxytocin on memory by examining oxytocin neurons containing oxytocin receptors. These neurons exhibit different functions based on the availability of oxytocin in the brain.
To delve deeper into the neural pathways and signaling mechanisms activated by oxytocin, the researchers used pharmacogenetic techniques to selectively activate oxytocin neurons in specific regions of the brain. They then evaluated the cognitive function of mice using the Novel Object Recognition Task (NORT).
Previous studies had suggested that oxytocin could be a potential therapeutic candidate for dementia. Building on this notion, the researchers aimed to explore the role of endogenous oxytocin in cognitive function. They found that deficiency in oxytocin or its receptors can lead to impaired social memory in mice.
Remarkably, this study focused on the influence of endogenous oxytocinergic projections on learning and memory, particularly within the supramammillary nucleus (SuM). By visualizing slices of the mouse brain, the scientists observed positive signals in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and its projections to the SuM, suggesting the involvement of these neurons in memory function.
Moreover, the researchers utilized clozapine N-oxide to activate oxytocinergic neurons in the PVN, confirming their activation through increased c-Fos positive cells. The team then studied the impact of oxytocinergic neuron activation on learning and memory using the Y-maze and NORT.
Surprisingly, no significant changes were observed in short-term spatial memory in the Y-maze test. However, the activation of oxytocinergic neurons significantly enhanced long-term object recognition memory in the NORT. This was evidenced by the increased number of c-Fos positive neurons in the SuM and the dentate gyrus, a region within the brain’s hippocampus, after the NORT.
Additionally, selective activation of oxytocinergic axons in the SuM resulted in mice spending more time exploring novel objects, indicating a direct modulation of object recognition memory by these axons projecting from the PVN to the SuM. This finding emphasizes the involvement of oxytocin in object recognition memory through the SuM.
The implications of this study go beyond understanding oxytocin’s role in memory function. It also has potential implications for dementia research, as there is a well-known connection between a stimulating environment, social engagement, and slower disease progression. The research conducted by Professor Saitoh and his team suggests that a stimulating environment that activates oxytocin in the brain may help mitigate the advancement of dementia.
This groundbreaking research opens the door to innovative treatments and pharmaceutical interventions targeting oxytocin to halt the progression of dementia. Further exploration of this field promises to bring about new insights and therapeutic approaches to enhance memory function and overall cognitive well-being.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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