RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Oxytocin Makes a Face in Memory Familiar
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 38
OP 42
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4260-08.2009
VO 29
IS 1
A1 Ulrike Rimmele
A1 Karin Hediger
A1 Markus Heinrichs
A1 Peter Klaver
YR 2009
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/1/38.abstract
AB Social recognition is the basis of all social interactions. Here, we show that, in humans, the evolutionarily highly conserved neuropeptide oxytocin, after intranasal administration, specifically improves recognition memory for faces, but not for nonsocial stimuli. With increased oxytocin levels, previously presented faces were more correctly assessed as “known,” whereas the ability of recollecting faces was unchanged. This pattern speaks for an immediate and selective effect of the peptide strengthening neuronal systems of social memory.