Psychobiological effect of oxytocin in human social-emotional behaviour

Extensive animal literature point to a pivotal role of Oxytocin and Vasopressin
in social-emotional behaviour in evolutionary distant species. This leads to
the prediction that these peptides which mechanisms are at least partly
conserved in humans still exerts its functions in human social-emotional
behaviour. The question to what amount these mechanisms play a role in
social-emotional processing is paramount, and with a series of behavioural
studies followed by an fMRI experiment, we attempt to scrutinize the potential
effects of OT and AVP and study their underlying neuro-biological mechanisms.

To scrutinize the role of OT in human social-emotional behaviour and gain
insight in the neurobiological mechanism by which the peptide exert their
effects.

Different behavioural computer tasks will be used in a double blind placebo
controlled intervention study in which OT will be administered. Following these
behaviour studies an fMRI experiment will be performed with equal OT
administration.

Oxytocin nasal spray administration

Administration of the peptide OT is not known to lead to any adverse
side-effects as shown in previous studies (e.g. Kosfeld et al., 2005), so it is
unlikely that our participants will experience adverse phenomenological
alterations.
Fmri is a non-invasive technique, so there is no need for special preparation
for the subject. There are no known risks associated with fMRI acquisition. If
pathology is noticed, and medical treatment is indicated, the subject will be
notified.
All other measurement techniques used are non-invasive and thoroughly
tested at the laboratory of Experimental Psychology and do not lead to
significant discomfort in participating subjects.
The benefit of the present experiment is increased understanding of underlying
neurobiological mechanisms of human social emotional processing. Although no
immediate benefits are expected from this increased understanding, the search
for better treatment for the great share of psychiatric diseases with pathology
in social emotional processing (e.g. autism, depression, schizophrenia) might
ultimately gain from these insights.