Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2024 January 27

= January 27 =

Neurotransmitters, part 2
Does oxytocin reduce the level of and/or counteract the effects of dopamine within the brain? 2601:646:8080:FC40:3118:F122:673F:8204 (talk) 14:59, 27 January 2024 (UTC)
 * I'm afraid that there are only 53,000 results on Google Scholar for "oxytocin dopamine interactions". Abductive  (reasoning) 20:25, 27 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Activation of the amygdala and hippocampus by oxytocin can induce penile erection and elevate extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens in rats.| as per study of Melis MR et Harvici  ( talk ) 06:17, 28 January 2024 (UTC)
 * So, follow-up question: how does oxytocin affect the action of dopamine specifically on the D4 receptor? 2601:646:8080:FC40:3118:F122:673F:8204 (talk) 12:14, 28 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Research of 2010 (| this study) indicates that oxytocin cells located in the MPOA, SON, and PVN contain dopamine D2, D3, and D4 receptors. This finding suggests the possibility of direct influence by dopamine on hypothalamic oxytocin neurotransmission through D2-like receptors. Harvici  ( talk ) 13:18, 28 January 2024 (UTC)
 * And of oxytocin on dopamine neurotransmission specifically through D4 receptors (particularly in an antagonistic manner)? Or does it not go the other way? 2601:646:8080:FC40:3118:F122:673F:8204 (talk) 17:30, 28 January 2024 (UTC)
 * | This study suggests that there may be modulation and interactions between the two neurotransmitter systems during penile erection, but the exact nature of these interactions, especially through D4 receptors, is not definitively outlined. The study shows that oxytocin receptor blockade can inhibit dopamine agonist-induced penile erection, indicating a role for oxytocin in modulating dopamine pathways or oxytocin may itself be able to modulate central dopamine neurotransmission. Harvici  ( talk ) 18:22, 28 January 2024 (UTC)
 * I can't find any mention particularly in an antagonistic manner Harvici  ( talk ) 18:23, 28 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Well, this study does seem to mention one specific antagonistic interaction between oxytocin and dopamine -- so, if I understood it correctly, it makes a lot of things clear! (Just FYI, this is for a research project I'm doing on my own time about introversion -- a topic of interest to me, since I'm an introvert from the very deep end of the scale myself, and specifically having a very low excitement-seeking score on the ocean test (a measly 4 out of 20) -- and the starting point is that we introverts have super-sensitive D4 receptors, so stimulating them causes stress, and therefore we like things which inhibit them instead!  And this study, if I understood it correctly, sheds light in particular on the reason why I love physical affection and tender, romantic sex but find casual and/or rough sex repulsive -- and also on why I, a man, need lots of romantic, loving foreplay to get myself ready, almost like a woman!  Oh, and for the record, this is not medical advice -- I'm not trying to find any information on how to change any aspect of myself which is related to introversion, I wouldn't change it even if I could, all I'm trying to do is to find out what makes me tick!) 2601:646:8080:FC40:3118:F122:673F:8204 (talk) 03:33, 29 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Well, I am an introvert too,so it's nice to meet someone who is an introvert too and interested in medicine stuff.😉. Harvici  ( talk ) 05:22, 29 January 2024 (UTC)