•
PORTLAND, Maine

UNE researchers explore oxytocin influence on psychological disorders

University of New England researchers are embarking on a three-year study into the effects of oxytocin on patients suffering from psychosocial distress, thanks to an Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) grant through the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute on Aging.

Oxytocin, a naturally produced chemical in the human body, influences how we process and respond to emotional stimuli. Clinicians have long been administering pharmaceutical oxytocin to patients with certain psychiatric disturbances, including autism, schizophrenia and depression, with the goal of alleviating some of the negative symptoms associated with these disorders; however, researchers are now interested in learning more about naturally-occurring oxytocin levels, with the hope that such information will allow them to manipulate these levels to improve the quality of life for patients.

Srinidi Mohan, Ph.D., assistant professor in UNE’s Department of Pharmacy, will serve as co-primary investigator for the study along with Nancy Koven, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Bates College.

“Little is known about the psychosocial correlation of naturally-occurring oxytocin levels,” Mohan explained. “This grant will provide us with the opportunity to administer assessments and behavior tests to better understand how this chemical affects how we process and respond to emotional stimuli. Ultimately, our goal is to help improve people’s emotional well-being and the quality of social relationships.”   

For more information about this AREA grant, please contact Srinidi Mohan at smohan@une.edu, or call (207) 221-4058.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.