Dr. Carter’s research program focuses on the neurobiology of social monogamy in prairie voles, including pair bonding and biparental care. The long-term goal of these studies is to develop translational animal models for understanding the possible role of neuropeptide hormones, including oxytocin, vasopressin and CRF, in human disorders such as autism or anxiety. These models are currently being used to examine the hypothesis that perinatal social experiences or hormonal experiences may produce epigenetic changes that influence subsequent social behavior and neuroendocrine responses to challenge. Recent studies have demonstrated that in male voles exposure to an infant can release oxytocin and reduce corticosterone, which may in turn increase neurogenesis. Dr. Carter also has studied endocrine changes associated with human behavior, including studies that demonstrate the physiological benefits of lactation to the mother. She has edited or co-edited four volumes dealing with the neurobiology of sexual and social behaviors. Dr. Carter was recipient of a Research Scientist Award from the National Institute of Mental Health, and currently directs a NIH Program Project Grant, aimed at examining the developmental consequences of oxytocin (medically known as Pitocin). Dr. Carter is the current president of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society.

Representative Publications

Carter, C. S. 1998. Neuroendocrine perspectives on social attachment and love. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 23: 779-818.

Redwine, L. S., Altemus, M., Leong, Y-M., and Carter, C. S. 2001. Differential immune responses to stress in postpartum women. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 26:241-251.

Bales, K. L., and Carter, C.S. 2003. Sex differences and developmental effects of oxytocin on aggression and social behavior in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Hormones and Behavior 44:178-184.

Bales, K. L. and Carter, C. S. 2003. Developmental exposure to oxytocin facilitates partner preferences in male prairie voles. Behavioral. Neuroscience. 117:854-859.

Carter, C. S. 2003. Developmental consequences of oxytocin. Physiology and Behavior. 79:383-97.

Cushing, B.S., Yamamoto, Y., Hoffman, G., Carter, C.S. 2003. Central expression of c-Fos in neonatal male and female prairie voles in response to treatment with oxytocin Developmental Brain Research 143:129-136.

Bales, K.L., Kim, A.J., Lewis-Reese, A.D, and Carter, C.S. 2004. Both oxytocin and vasopressin may influence alloparental care in male prairie voles. Hormones and Behavior 45:454-361.

Yamamoto, Y., Cushing, B.S., Kramer, K.M., Epperson, P.D., Hoffman, G.E., and Carter, C. S. 2004. Neonatal manipulations of oxytocin alter expression of oxytocin and vasopressin immunoreactive cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in a gender-specific manner. Neuroscience 125:947-955.

Carter, C. S., and Altemus, M. 2005. Oxytocin, vasopressin and depression. IN: Current and Future Developments in Psychopharmacology. Eds: J.A. Den Boer, M.S George, G. J. ter Horst. Amsterdam, Benecke N.I. pp. 201-216.

Liu, WS, Carter, C.S., and Pappas, GD. 2005. Oxytocin receptor are reduced in cortical regions in haploinsufficent reeler (+/-) mice. Neurological Research, in press.

Carter, C. S. 2005. Biological perspectives on social attachment and bonding. IN: Attachment and Bonding: A New Synthesis. Eds: C. S. Carter, et al., Cambridge, MA: MIT Press – in press.