Off-label intranasal oxytocin use in adults is associated with increased amygdala-cingulate resting-state connectivity
Abstract
Intranasally administered oxytocin gained popularity as a hormone facilitating trust, cooperation, and affiliation. However, the long-term consequences of oxytocin use are not known. Given that intensive media attention and advertisements of the "love hormone" might lead to a new form of misuse, we conducted an online survey and identified 41 individuals with oxytocin misuse. Misuse will be proposed throughout the manuscript instead of the more accurate "off-label use" for reasons of simplicity. We compared the social functions of oxytocin users with that of 41 matched control volunteers. We administered the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test" (RMET) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) Toolbox Adult Social Relationship Scales (NIH-ASRS) to delineate affective "theory of mind" and real-life social functions, respectively. Resting-state functional brain connectivity analyses were also carried out. Results revealed no significant differences between individuals with oxytocin misuse and control participants on the RMET and NIH-ASRS. However, individuals with oxytocin misuse showed an increased connectivity between the right amygdala and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex relative to the control group. Higher estimated cumulati...Continue Reading
References
Different amygdala subregions mediate valence-related and attentional effects of oxytocin in humans.
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Aphasia
Aphasia affects the ability to process language, including formulation and comprehension of language and speech, as well as the ability to read or write. Here is the latest research on aphasia.
Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine
The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.
Amygdala: Sensory Processes
Amygdalae, nuclei clusters located in the temporal lobe of the brain, play a role in memory, emotional responses, and decision-making. Here is the latest research on sensory processes in the amygdala.