Oxytocin-releasing reward: a remedy for cerebral inflammaging?

Abstract

MECHANISMS Oxytocinergic neurons emerging from the hypothalamus release oxytocin from the pituitary gland to the blood by axonal discharge to regulate reproductive organs. However, at the same time, oxytocin is secreted into neighboring areas of the hypothalamus from the dendrites of these neurons. Here the peptide acts by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms to influence other neuroendocrine systems. Furthermore, oxytocinergic neurons project to many different locations in the brain where it affects sensory processing, affective functions, and reward. Additional to its regulatory role, significant anti-inflammatory and restoring effects of oxytocin have been reported from many in-vivo and in-vitro studies. The pervasive property of the oxytocin system may enable it generally to dampen stress reactions both peripherally and centrally and protect neurons and supportive cells from inadequate inflammation and malfunctioning. Animal experiments have documented the importance of preserving immune- and stem cell functions in the hypothalamus to impede age-related destructive processes of the body. Sexual reward has a profound stimulating impact on the oxytocinergic activity and the present article therefore presents the hypothesis that frequent sexual activity may postpone the onset of frailty and age-associated diseases by neural protection from the bursts of oxytocin. Furthermore, suggestions are given how the neuroplastic properties of oxytocin may be utilized to enhance sexual reward by learning processes in order further to reinforce the release of this peptide.