Journal Article

DKFZ-2026-00416

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Oxytocin facilitates social behavior of female rats via selective modulation of interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex.

Schimmer, S. ; Kania, A. ; Lefevre, A. ; Afordakos, K. ; Wang, K.-Y. ; Lebedeva, J. ; Rozov, A. ; Raftogianni, A. ; Tiwari, R. ; Netser, S. ; Zovko, A. ; Shaheen, H. ; Schimmer, J. ; Patwell, R. ; Denis, C. ; Grelot, V. ; Petitjean, H. ; Geng, L. ; Hefter, D. ; Boender, A. ; Podpecan, Y. ; Schommer, F. ; Schubert, T. ; Sanetra, A. ; Trenk, A. ; Gugula, A. ; Hurlemann, R. ; Wagner, S. ; Li, Y. ; Althammer, F. ; Blasiak, A. ; Melzer, S. ; Monyer, H.DKFZ* ; Charlet, A. ; Eliava, M. ; Grinevich, V.

2026
Springer Nature [London]

Abstract: The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin is best known for its prosocial behavioral effects. However, the precise anatomical and cellular targets for oxytocin in the cortex during social behavior remain elusive. Here we show that oxytocin neurons project directly to the medial prefrontal cortex where evoked axonal oxytocin release facilitates social behaviors in adult female rats. In conjunction, we report that local oxytocin receptor-expressing (OTR+) cells are predominantly interneurons, whose activation promotes social interaction. Notably, this prosocial effect persists even under physiological challenge (hunger), pointing to a dedicated prosocial circuit capable of overriding primary survival drives. We further demonstrate that activation of these OTR+ interneurons inhibits principal cells specifically projecting to the basolateral amygdala, thus providing a putative mechanism of selective oxytocin action in this sociability-promoting cortical network.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; Oxytocin: metabolism (MeSH) ; Oxytocin: pharmacology (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Interneurons: metabolism (MeSH) ; Interneurons: physiology (MeSH) ; Interneurons: drug effects (MeSH) ; Prefrontal Cortex: physiology (MeSH) ; Prefrontal Cortex: cytology (MeSH) ; Prefrontal Cortex: metabolism (MeSH) ; Receptors, Oxytocin: metabolism (MeSH) ; Receptors, Oxytocin: genetics (MeSH) ; Social Behavior (MeSH) ; Rats (MeSH) ; Basolateral Nuclear Complex: physiology (MeSH) ; Basolateral Nuclear Complex: metabolism (MeSH) ; Behavior, Animal (MeSH) ; Oxytocin ; Receptors, Oxytocin

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. A230 Klinische Neurobiologie (A230)

Research Program(s):

1. 311 - Zellbiologie und Tumorbiologie (POF4-311) (POF4-311)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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