Tag Archives: vasopressin
Neurotransmitters linked to mating behavior are shared by mammals and worms
New research from Rockefeller University has shown that chemicals in the brain — neuropeptides known as vasopressin and oxytocin — play a role in coordinating mating and reproductive behavior in animals ranging from humans to fish to invertebrates. More »
Bullying alters brain chemistry, leads to anxiety
Getting kicked around is no fun for anyone, but researchers are finding that it’s not just the body that’s bruised, but the brain, too. New experiments from Rockefeller show that mice that are repeatedly bullied by by dominant males grow unusually anxious around new company, threatening or not. The behavioral change seems to be in part due to a change in gene expression that increases sensitivity to vasopressin, a hormone involved in a variety of social behaviors. More »
