Project Summary

Karen J. Parker, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2007) of Stanford University, will explore the impact of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) on the physiology of the body’s hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, the primary mediator of the stress response. Centrally administered OT has been shown to diminish HPA-axis responses to psychological stress in rodents. In monkeys, plasma OT levels have been shown to be diminished by psychological stress exposure. Dr. Parker will test the hypothesis that OT levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of monkeys are negatively correlated with stress-induced HPA-axis activation and behavioral abnormalities. If OT administration is shown to ameliorate such abnormalities, the work could lead to novel OT-based therapies for stress-related psychiatric illnesses.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar

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