Oxytocin in Schizophrenia: Pathophysiology and Implications for Future Treatment

Schizophrenia is a form of mental disorder that is behaviorally characterized by abnormal behavior, such as social function deficits or other behaviors that are disconnected from reality. Dysregulation of oxytocin may play a role in regulating the expression of schizophrenia. Given oxytocin’s role in social cognition and behavior, a variety of studies have examined the potential clinical benefits of oxytocin in improving the psychopathology of patients with schizophrenia. In this review, we highlight the evidence for the role of endogenous oxytocin in schizophrenia, from animal models to human studies. We further discuss the potential of oxytocin as a therapeutic agent for schizophrenia and its implication in future treatment.

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Novel Insight of Histamine and Its Receptor Ligands in Glaucoma and Retina Neuroprotection

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11081186 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1186

Author(s):

Silvia Sgambellone ◽

Laura Lucarini ◽

Cecilia Lanzi ◽

Emanuela Masini

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Circadian Rhythm ◽

Intraocular Pressure ◽

Animal Models ◽

Receptor Ligands ◽

Short Term ◽

Future Treatment ◽

Progressive Degeneration ◽

Histamine H3

Glaucoma is a multifactorial neuropathy characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP), and it is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide after cataracts. Glaucoma combines a group of optic neuropathies characterized by the progressive degeneration of retinal ganglionic cells (RGCs). Increased IOP and short-term IOP fluctuation are two of the most critical risk factors in glaucoma progression. Histamine is a well-characterized neuromodulator that follows a circadian rhythm, regulates IOP and modulates retinal circuits and vision. This review summarizes findings from animal models on the role of histamine and its receptors in the eye, focusing on the effects of histamine H3 receptor antagonists for the future treatment of glaucomatous patients.

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The Mimicry Among Us: Intra- and Inter-Personal Mechanisms of Spontaneous Mimicry

Journal of Nonverbal Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10919-019-00324-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 195-212 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Andrew J. Arnold ◽

Piotr Winkielman

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Social Context ◽

Social Life ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Conceptual Information ◽

Associative Processes ◽

Context Sensitive ◽

The Third ◽

And Behavior

Abstract This review explores spontaneous mimicry in the context of three questions. The first question concerns the role of spontaneous mimicry in processing conceptual information. The second question concerns the debate whether spontaneous mimicry is driven by simple associative processes or reflects higher-order processes such as goals, intentions, and social context. The third question addresses the implications of these debates for understanding atypical individuals and states. We review relevant literature and argue for a dynamic, context-sensitive role of spontaneous mimicry in social cognition and behavior. We highlight how the modulation of mimicry is often adaptive but also point out some cases of maladaptive modulations that impair an individuals’ engagement in social life.

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Hearts and Minds: An Introduction to the Role of Affect in Social Cognition and Behavior

Affect in Social Thinking and Behavior ◽

10.4324/9780203720752-6 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 15-30

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

And Behavior ◽

Hearts And Minds

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Emotion processes in normal and abnormal development and preventive intervention

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s0954579402004066 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 761-787 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

CARROLL E. IZARD ◽

SARAH FINE ◽

ALLISON MOSTOW ◽

CHRISTOPHER TRENTACOSTA ◽

JAN CAMPBELL

Keyword(s):

Internalizing Problems ◽

Final Section ◽

Preventive Intervention ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Abnormal Behavior ◽

Abnormal Development ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Externalizing And Internalizing Problems ◽

And Behavior

We present an analysis of the role of emotions in normal and abnormal development and preventive intervention. The conceptual framework stems from three tenets of differential emotions theory (DET). These principles concern the constructs of emotion utilization; intersystem connections among modular emotion systems, cognition, and action; and the organizational and motivational functions of discrete emotions. Particular emotions and patterns of emotions function differentially in different periods of development and in influencing the cognition and behavior associated with different forms of psychopathology. Established prevention programs have not emphasized the concept of emotion as motivation. It is even more critical that they have generally neglected the idea of modulating emotions, not simply to achieve self-regulation, but also to utilize their inherently adaptive functions as a means of facilitating the development of social competence and preventing psychopathology. The paper includes a brief description of a theory-based prevention program and suggestions for complementary targeted interventions to address specific externalizing and internalizing problems. In the final section, we describe ways in which emotion-centered preventions can provide excellent opportunities for research on the development of normal and abnormal behavior.

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Refining our understanding of the “elephant in the room”

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x20000096 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Whiten

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Cultural Evolution ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Critical Factors ◽

Technological Culture

Abstract The authors do the field of cultural evolution a service by exploring the role of non-social cognition in human cumulative technological culture, truly neglected in comparison with socio-cognitive abilities frequently assumed to be the primary drivers. Some specifics of their delineation of the critical factors are problematic, however. I highlight recent chimpanzee–human comparative findings that should help refine such analyses.

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Individual Differences in the Name Similarity Effect

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000133 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 111-118

Author(s):

Daniel J. Howard ◽

Roger A. Kerin

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Impression Management ◽

Interactive Effect ◽

Purchase Intentions ◽

Brand Attitude ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Similarity Effect ◽

And Behavior ◽

Usage Context

The name similarity effect is the tendency to like people, places, and things with names similar to our own. Although many researchers have examined name similarity effects on preferences and behavior, no research to date has examined whether individual differences exist in susceptibility to those effects. This research reports the results of two experiments that examine the role of self-monitoring in moderating name similarity effects. In the first experiment, name similarity effects on brand attitude and purchase intentions were found to be stronger for respondents high, rather than low, in self-monitoring. In the second experiment, the interactive effect observed in the first study was found to be especially true in a public (vs. private) usage context. These findings are consistent with theoretical expectations of name similarity effects as an expression of egotism manifested in the image and impression management concerns of high self-monitors.

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