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World J Psychiatry. Apr 19, 2026; 16(4): 115109
Published online Apr 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i4.115109
Published online Apr 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i4.115109
Attenuating neuropsychiatric disorders of early-life stress: The protective role of oxytocin
Yuan Zhang, Ming-Yan Hei, Neonatal Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing 100045, China
Shu Wang, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
Co-corresponding authors: Shu Wang and Ming-Yan Hei.
Author contributions: Zhang Y collected the data, analyzed the data, drafted the manuscript, and revised the manuscript; Wang S designed the study, collected and analyzed the data, drafted the manuscript, and revised the manuscript; Hei MY designed the study, collected the data, analyzed the data, and revised the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript. Wang S and Hei MY contributed equally to this work as co-corresponding authors. Hei MY was instrumental and responsible for data re-analysis and re-interpretation, comprehensive literature search, preparation and submission of the current version of the manuscript with a new focus on proposing future directions and clinical implications of the protective role of oxytocin in neuropsychiatric disorders of early-life stress. She also supervised the whole process of the project. Wang S conceptualized, designed, and analyzed data for this study. He searched the literature, revised and finished the early version of the manuscript with the focus on neurobiological mechanisms of early-life stress and oxytocin intervention, as well as translational evidence from preclinical and human studies. This collaboration between Hei MY and Wang S is crucial for the publication of this manuscript and other manuscripts still in preparation.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Corresponding author: Ming-Yan Hei, MD, Professor, Neonatal Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, No. 56 Nanlishi Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100045, China. heimingyan@bch.com.cn
Received: October 9, 2025
Revised: November 20, 2025
Accepted: December 23, 2025
Published online: April 19, 2026
Processing time: 173 Days and 11.9 Hours
Revised: November 20, 2025
Accepted: December 23, 2025
Published online: April 19, 2026
Processing time: 173 Days and 11.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Early-life stress increases lifelong risk for neuropsychiatric disorders via lasting neural, endocrine, and epigenetic changes. Oxytocin, a key neuropeptide, shows promise in mitigating these effects by normalizing amygdala-prefrontal connectivity, reducing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, promoting hippocampal neurogenesis, and reversing stress-associated epigenetic marks. However, its efficacy is context-dependent and influenced by factors like sex, timing, and administration route. Future oxytocin-based therapies should be integrated with psychosocial support and tailored through a precision medicine framework to effectively promote resilience in the affected individuals.