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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

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Open Access 01-08-2021 | Original Paper

Oxytocin attenuates neural response to emotional faces in social drinkers: an fMRI study

Authors: Patrick Bach, Anne Koopmann, Jan Malte Bumb, Sina Zimmermann, Sina Bühler, Iris Reinhard, Stephanie H. Witt, Marcella Rietschel, Sabine Vollstädt-Klein, Falk Kiefer

Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience | Issue 5/2021

Abstract

Introduction

Oxytocin is a key mediator of emotional and social behavior that seems to be of relevance for the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. We thus investigated the effect of oxytocin on neural response and behavior during a face-matching task in a sample of social drinkers.

Methods

Thirteen social drinkers underwent a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over functional magnetic resonance imaging face-matching task with and without prior intranasal application of 24 international units oxytocin. Effects of oxytocin and task condition (faces, shapes) on brain activation and individual task performance were assessed.

Results

Face-matching compared to shape-matching trials resulted in higher brain activation in the bilateral amygdala, hippocampus and parts of the occipital gyri. Oxytocin application vs. placebo reduced activation in bilateral amygdala, parts of the frontal gyri, and the parietal lobe. Region of interest analyses indicated that the oxytocin-induced attenuation of amygdala response was specific to face-stimuli and associated with lower subjective alcohol craving, and a lower percentage of heavy-drinking days (defined as ≥ 5 standard drinks/day).

Conclusion

For the first time, we could show that a larger oxytocin-induced attenuation of amygdala response to fearful faces is associated with lower subjective craving for alcohol and percentage of heavy drinking days in social drinkers. Modulation of amygdala activation, induced by emotional stimuli, might represent a neurobiological substrate of oxytocin’s protective effects on drug seeking behavior.

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Title: Oxytocin attenuates neural response to emotional faces in social drinkers: an fMRI study
Authors: Patrick Bach
Anne Koopmann
Jan Malte Bumb
Sina Zimmermann
Sina Bühler
Iris Reinhard
Stephanie H. Witt
Marcella Rietschel
Sabine Vollstädt-Klein
Falk Kiefer
Publication date: 01-08-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience / Issue 5/2021
Print ISSN: 0940-1334
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-020-01115-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Oxytocin attenuates neural response to emotional faces in social drinkers: an fMRI study

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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