Oxytocin—a social peptide? Deconstructing the evidence

Author:

Leng Gareth1ORCID,Leng Rhodri I.2,Ludwig Mike13

Affiliation:

1. Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, 15 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK

2. Department of Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse the claim that oxytocin is a ‘social neuropeptide’. This claim originated from evidence that oxytocin was instrumental in the initiation of maternal behaviour and it was extended to become the claim that oxytocin has a key role in promoting social interactions between individuals. We begin by considering the structure of the scientific literature on this topic, identifying closely interconnected clusters of papers on particular themes. We then analyse this claim by considering evidence of four types as generated by these clusters: (i) mechanistic studies in animal models, designed to understand the pathways involved in the behavioural effects of centrally administered oxytocin; (ii) evidence from observational studies indicating an association between oxytocin signalling pathways and social behaviour; (iii) evidence from intervention studies, mainly involving intranasal oxytocin administration; and (iv) evidence from translational studies of patients with disorders of social behaviour. We then critically analyse the most highly cited papers in each segment of the evidence; we conclude that, if these represent the best evidence, then the evidence for the claim is weak.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Interplays between oxytocin and other neuromodulators in shaping complex social behaviours’.

Funder

Economic and Social Research Council

Publisher

The Royal Society

Subject

General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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