OBJECTIVE: Most research on the effects of severe psychological stress has focused on
stress-related psychopathology. Here, the author develops psychobiological models of …

This review summarizes evidence of dysregulated reward circuitry function in a range of
neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and genetic syndromes. First, the …

Sexual and asexual reproduction are found throughout the plant and animal kingdoms.
Asexual reproduction has its advantages, chief among which is that it does not require the …

Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are described here as a model system in which it is
possible to examine, within the context of natural history, the proximate processes regulating …

Although oxytocin (OT) and dopamine (DA) have been implicated in pair bond formation in
monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), the nature of potential interactions …

Vasopressin (Avp) is mainly synthesized in the magnocellular cells of the hypothalamic
supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) whose axons project to the posterior …

Animal models provide preclinical tools to investigate the causal role of genetic mutations
and environmental factors in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Knockout and …

The formation of enduring relationships between adult mates (ie, pair bonds) is an integral
aspect of human social behavior and has been implicated in both physical and …

Social relationships throughout life are vital for well-being and physical and mental health. A
significant amount of research in animal models as well as in humans suggests that oxytocin …

This paper examines the developmental effects of the mammalian neuropeptide, oxytocin
(OT). In adults, OT is the most abundant neuropeptide in the hypothalamus and serves …