The hypothalamus is among the smallest brain regions, comprising less than 0.004% of the adult human brain. Yet despite its small size, the hypothalamus plays an immense role in health and well-being by regulating several processes via hormone release that are critical for survival, such as appetite, thirst, sleep, growth, reproduction, and mental states. To better understand the hypothalamus and its hormones, the Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Lab uses a variety of research tools, including intervention studies, genetic analyses, brain imaging, autonomic nervous system measures, and meta-scientific approaches.
About the group
Projects
Deciphering the role of the oxytocin system in mental traits and physical health (Research Council of Norway FRIPRO project)
Evaluating oxytocin as an individualised support in autism (Kavli Trust; Role: PI)
Unravelling the role of oxytocin in behavioural flexibility (Research Council of Norway FRIPRO project)
Uncovering the role of oxytocin in neural plasticity and learning in autism (Helse Sør-Øst Open Project Support)
Investigating oxytocin system dysfunction as a common link between metabolic and psychiatric symptoms in severe mental illness (Novo Nordisk Foundation)
Cooperation
We actively collaborate with external partners around the world, including Heidelberg University (Germany), KU Leuven (Belgium), McGill University (Canada), Leiden University (Netherlands), and the University of Cape Town (South Africa).
Financing
The Research Council of Norway, the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, and the Kavli Trust are currently financing our research. The Novo Nordisk Foundation has financed past research.
Selected publications
Quintana D.S., Rokicki, J., van der Meer, D., Alnaes, D., Kaufmann, T., Cordova-Palomera, A., Dieset, I., Andreassen, O.A., Westlye, L.T. (2019). Oxytocin gene networks in the human brain. Nature Communications, 10:668, doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-08503-8
Quintana, D.S and Guastella, A.J. (2020). An allostatic theory of oxytocin. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 24(7), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2020.03.008
Rokicki, J., Kaufmann, T., De Lange, A.M.G., van der Meer, D., Bahrami, S., Sartorius, A.M., Haukvik, U.K., Steen, N.E., Schwarz, E., Stein, D.J., Nærland, T., Andreassen, O.A., Westlye, L.T., & Quintana, D.S. (2022). Oxytocin receptor expression patterns in the human brain across development. Neuropsychopharmacology, 47, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-022-01305-5
Winterton, A., Westlye, L. T., Steen, N. E., Andreassen, O. A., & Quintana, D. S. (2021). Improving the precision of intranasal oxytocin research. Nature Human Behavior, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-020-00996-4
Winterton, A., Bettella, F., Beck, D., Gurholt, T.P., Steen, N.E., Rødevand, L., Westlye, L.T., Andreassen, O.A. & Quintana, D.S. (2022). The oxytocin signalling gene pathway contributes to the association between loneliness and cardiometabolic health. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 144, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105875
Quintana, D.S., Westlye, L.T., Alnæs, D., Kaufmann, T., Mahmoud, R.A., Smerud, K.T., Djupesland, P.G., & Andreassen, O.A. (2018). Low dose intranasal oxytocin delivered with Breath Powered device modulates pupil diameter and amygdala activity: a randomized controlled pupillometry and fMRI study. Neuropsychopharmacology, 44(2), doi: 10.1038/s41386-018-0241-3
Winterton, A., Bettella, F., De Lange, A. M. G., Haram, M., Steen, N. E., Westlye, L. T., Andreassen, O.A. & Quintana, D.S (2021). Oxytocin-pathway polygenic scores for severe mental disorders and metabolic phenotypes in the UK Biobank. Translational Psychiatry, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01725-9
See Cristin for a full list of the lab’s publications.