Ferdinand Althammer

Host: Andries Kalsbeek & Chun-Xia Yi Hypothalamic Integration Mechanisms. e-mail: a.kalsbeek@nin.knaw.nl

Guest Speaker: Ferdinand Althammer, PhD (Emmy Noether Group Leader, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Institut für Humangenetik, Heidelberg.)

Title: A brief history of translational oxytocinergic research: From basic physiology to therapeutic intervention.

Abstract:

The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin has been the focus of basic and clinical researchers for many decades due to its profound prosocial effects on the brain and body. The evolution of neuroscientific methods has substantially improved our understanding of how oxytocin neurons impact physiology, cognition and behaviour. Recent studies highlighted that oxytocin is a powerful neuromodulator with the ability to fine-tune entire brain circuits. The discovery of functional oxytocin receptors in astrocytes heralds a paradigm shift and paves the way for new therapeutic interventions for patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Numerous clinical studies indicate the promise of intranasal oxytocin for the treatment of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, but several controversies remain.