Neuroscience leader reveals oxytocin's crucial role beyond the 'love hormone' label

REGENSBURG, Bavaria, Germany, 24 December 2024 – In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview, Professor Inga Neumann, Chair of the Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology at the University of Regensburg, reveals groundbreaking insights into how oxytocin shapes social behavior and emotional responses in the brain.

The interview, published in Brain Medicine (DOI: 10.61373/bm024k.0139), showcases Professor Neumann's pioneering research on neuropeptides, particularly oxytocin, which has evolved far beyond its popular characterization as simply the "love hormone."

"I am convinced that increasing our knowledge about the stimuli, dynamics, and consequences of their intracerebral release at the behavioural, physiological, cellular, and molecular levels will improve our understanding of general brain mechanisms," explains Professor Neumann, whose work spans from molecular mechanisms to behavioral outcomes.

Her research team has developed innovative approaches to studying social anxiety, including a breakthrough mouse model of social fear conditioning. This work has opened new avenues for understanding how chronic stress and early life experiences influence social behavior patterns.

"We started to focus on the potential role of the brain's oxytocin and AVP systems as therapeutic targets for psychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety disorders or autism," Professor Neumann notes, highlighting the clinical implications of her research. "The hope is that one day it will be possible to apply oxytocin reliably to treat – for example – treatment-resistant patients suffering from anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety, but also autism and schizophrenia."

As the first woman appointed full professor at the Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine at the University of Regensburg, Professor Neumann has not only advanced scientific understanding but also broken gender barriers in academia. Her leadership extends to directing the Elite Masters Programme in Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience and heading the Graduate School "Neurobiology of Socio-Emotional Dysfunctions."

The interview provides unique insights into the challenges and triumphs of conducting neuroscience research across different political eras, from her early work in East Germany to her current position as a leading international researcher. "My beginnings as a scientist behind the 'Iron Curtain' were bumpy," she recalls, describing how her team had to build their own research equipment using donated materials.

Her current research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of social fear, particularly investigating the role of oxytocin, CRF, and other neuroactive molecules. This work has significant implications for treating social anxiety disorders and understanding stress resilience.

Looking ahead, Professor Neumann's research raises intriguing questions about the future of psychiatric treatment: How can we optimize the delivery of oxytocin-based therapies to the brain? What role might epigenetic factors play in social behavior disorders? How can we better translate findings from animal models to human therapeutic applications?

Professor Inga Neumann's Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series that highlights the people behind today’s most influential scientific ideas. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that explores the scientist’s impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and research rising stars featured by Genomic Press can be found in our publication website: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/.

The complete interview, titled "Inga D. Neumann: Molecular underpinnings of the brain oxytocin system and its involvement in socio-emotional behaviour: More than a love story," is available on 24 December 2024 in Brain Medicine. The article is freely accessible online at https://doi.org/10.61373/bm024k.0139.

About Brain Medicine: Brain Medicine (ISSN: 2997-2639) is a peer-reviewed medical research journal published by Genomic Press, New York. Brain Medicine is a new home for the cross-disciplinary pathway from innovation in fundamental neuroscience to translational initiatives in brain medicine. The journal’s scope includes the underlying science, causes, outcomes, treatments, and societal impact of brain disorders, across all clinical disciplines and their interface.