Oxytocin has been deemed the “love drug” or “love hormone.” This hormone, which controls aspects of behavior and reproduction, is often released when we’re in love or in physical contact with someone we love. But could oxytocin – or a derivative of it – improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? According to a news release from the Tokyo University of Science, a research team is currently exploring whether a novel oxytocin derivative could enhance cognition and reverse or reduce cognitive impairment.

Evaluating PAS-CPPs-oxytocin for Cognitive Impairment

The accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) in brain tissue has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As this protein accumulates, it halts adequate neural function. However, previous studies performed by this research team found that oxytocin could reverse synaptic plasticity impairment due to Aβ buildup. At the same time, the researchers noticed that oxytocin has difficulty getting through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) without invasive, targeted therapeutic administration.

Researchers sought to determine whether intranasal oxytocin derivative administration could be both safe and effective. To begin, the research team developed mice models of dementia caused by Aβ accumulation. Next, the researchers evaluated the memory and learning capabilities of these mice. Finally, using a new delivery mechanism with cell-penetrating peptides and a penetration accelerating sequence, the derivative (PAS-CPPs-oxytocin) was administered to the mice intranasally. This new method allowed researchers to effectively cross the BBB. Researchers used fluorescence to identify where within the brain the PAS-CPPs-oxytocin ended up.

Ultimately, the findings, published in Neuropsychopharmacology Reports, showed that the oxytocin derivative was adequately distributed throughout the brain. It was also shown to improve memory and learning capabilities. The researchers believe that, in the future, this type of oxytocin derivative could potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research is needed to determine whether this is actually a viable therapeutic option.