In a recent interview with Genomic Press published in Brain Medicine (DOI: 10.61373/bm024k.0139), Professor Inga Neumann, Chair of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology at the University of Regensburg, unveiled her groundbreaking research on oxytocin and its role in shaping social behavior and emotional responses.
Moving beyond the traditional view of oxytocin as the “love hormone,” Professor Neumann’s work explores its intricate effects on the brain. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the triggers and dynamics of oxytocin release to gain deeper insights into general brain mechanisms.
Her team has pioneered innovative approaches to studying social anxiety, including a novel mouse model for social fear conditioning. This model helps elucidate how chronic stress and early life experiences influence social behaviors, opening new pathways for understanding and treating social anxiety disorders.
“We are investigating the brain’s oxytocin and AVP systems as potential targets for treating psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, autism, and schizophrenia,” Neumann explained. She envisions future therapies where oxytocin could reliably help treatment-resistant patients suffering from these conditions.
As the first female full professor in the Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine at the University of Regensburg, Professor Neumann has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also broken significant gender barriers in academia. She leads the Elite Masters Programme in Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience and heads the Graduate School “Neurobiology of Socio-Emotional Dysfunctions.”
Reflecting on her career, Neumann shared challenges from her early research days in East Germany, where her team had to create their own research equipment from donated materials. Today, her focus is on the molecular mechanisms of social fear, particularly the roles of oxytocin, CRF, and other neuroactive molecules, with significant implications for enhancing stress resilience and treating social anxiety disorders.
Looking forward, Professor Neumann is exploring how to optimize oxytocin-based therapies, the impact of epigenetic factors on social behavior disorders, and the translation of animal model findings to human treatments.
Professor Inga Neumann’s interview is part of Genomic Press’s series highlighting influential scientists. These interviews blend cutting-edge research with personal insights, providing a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future of neuroscience.