The neurohormonal basis of social attachment: oxytocin in regulating pair and maternal bonds


 Humans are highly social creatures that form intricate relationships, which makes studying attachment an important part of behavioral neuroscience. These relationships can reinforce positive well-being, but also inflict psychological damage when broken. Monogamous species pair bonds, uncommon in the predominantly polygamous mammalian kingdom. Using prairie vole (Microtus orchogaster), extensively studied model organism, this review will focus on role oxytocin (OT) both regulating and manipulating systems for these bonds discuss possible consequences changes to systems. Because nature how OT regulates associated neural circuits, research has therapeutic value.