Early life experiences, particularly positive social bonding, are crucial for a child’s emotional development. The chemical oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” plays a vital role in this process.

Oxytocin is released during moments of closeness, such as when a baby bonds with its mother, and it helps to form secure emotional attachments. However, when children face adversity, such as neglect, abuse, or social conflict, these bonding processes can be disrupted. Such disruptions may have lasting effects on brain development and emotional well-being.

But what long-term impact might this have on a child's mental development? A group of researchers at DANDRITE intends to find out.

Investigating the role of the claustrum

With significant funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the team will investigate oxytocin’s role in a little-known part of the brain called the “claustrum”. This thin layer of brain tissue lies deep within the brain and is connected to several other regions. While its exact function remains unclear, growing evidence suggests that the claustrum plays an important role in socio-emotional processes and sensory integration.

“Oxytocin has long been recognised for its role in emotional bonding, but we are now beginning to understand how early disruptions to this system may have long-term consequences for brain development,” says Associate Professor Asami Tanimura, lead researcher on the project. “The claustrum is one of the brain areas which highly express oxytocin receptor in the early life stage. By studying the claustrum, we hope to uncover new pathways that could help us better understand—and potentially prevent—the development of mental health conditions that often emerge after early-life trauma.”

Pave the way for more effective interventions for future generations

Using mouse models, the researchers will examine how changes in oxytocin signalling during early development affect the growth and function of the claustrum. By manipulating the oxytocin system in these models, they aim to uncover how early bonding disruptions might make the brain more vulnerable to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and addiction.

The findings from this study could pave the way for more effective interventions to support children at risk of insecure attachment and future mental health challenges. By focusing on the science of socio-emotional bonding and its impact on brain development, the project seeks to offer new insights into how we can foster stronger, healthier emotional and social foundations for future generations.

The research project is supported by the Hallas-Møller Emerging Investigator Grant and includes funding of DKK 11.2 million over five years.           

• Read more about the research in Radulovic Group