Roles of Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Brain

National Institute Of Mental Health

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Abstract

--We continued our studies of the CA2 region of the hippocampus where the oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) and vasopressin 1b receptor (Avpr1b) are located. The CA2 area is an important, although relatively unexplored, component of the hippocampus. We are studying the role of the CA2 in social learning and memory using a Avpr1b-cre expressing line we made. We are expressing a calcium sensor in the Avpr1b neurons and monitoring their activities during behaviors using a mini-microscope. We are also examining related areas. --We have added electrophysiology to our repertoire to study the regulation of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA2 area.