Malak Abdelrahman

• SOAR Position: Member
• Major: Biochemistry
• Faculty Mentor(s): Tiffany Rogers

Current Focus: The Effects of Antibiotic-Oxytocin Interactions on Social and Motivational Behavior

Project Description

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that plays a role in many parts of the body; and is well known for its role in social behaviors. Antibiotics are a staple in the modern world, with nearly 50 million yearly prescriptions given to people under the age of 20 (Center for Disease Control, 2024). To date, no studies have examined the drug interaction of oxytocin and antibiotics and its effect on social motivation. Mice were used as model organisms to study these behavioral effects. The experimental groups included both sexes and four drug groups: saline (control), oxytocin, antibiotics, and oxytocin with antibiotics. After 14 days of drug administration, 3 behavioral assays were conducted to examine social motivation effects. The results of this study found that the oxytocin-antibiotics group had lower social avoidance than the other groups. No sex effects were found in any social behavior analysis and no social approach differences were found between groups.

Why does this topic interest you?

I truly enjoy learning about the body and how internal and external factors can impact the way we act. I am especially interested in looking into how drugs affect our bodies. In my project I had the opportunity to look into the interaction of a neuropeptide and drugs that are commonly prescribed and study how this drug interaction affected the social behavior of mice.

What are your professional aspirations?

I want to go into the field of medicine and my goal is to become a doctor that can help people receive the treatment they need.

Do you have any advice for future researchers?

Projects are not always going to go the way you want them to, sometimes you'll run into unexpected problems and be forced to adjust your methodology as you go along.

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