Endocannabinoid signaling mediates oxytocin-driven social reward

We present evidence that an oxytocin-dependent endocannabinoid signal contributes to the regulation of social reward. The results provide insights into the functions of oxytocin, a neuropeptide crucial for social behavior, and its interactions with other modulatory systems that regulate the rewarding properties of social behavior. They further suggest that oxytocin-driven anandamide signaling may be defective in autism spectrum disorders, and that correcting such deficits might offer a strategy to treat these conditions.