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Oxytocin and the social brain: Neural mechanisms and perspectives in human research
Kanat, Manuela Heinrichs, Markus Domes, Gregor
Kanat, Manuela
Heinrichs, Markus
Domes, Gregor
Abstract
The present paper summarizes functional imaging studies investigating the effects of intranasal oxytocin (OT) on brain responses to social stimuli. We aim to integrate previous research, point to unresolved issues and highlight perspectives for future studies. The studies so far have focused on identifying neural circuits underlying social information processing which are particularly sensitive to modulations by exogenous OT. Most consistently, stimulus-related responses of the amygdala and associated areas within the prefrontal and temporal cortices have been found to be modulated by OT administration. However, there are a number of unresolved issues related to the possible role of sex differences and hormonal status, genetic variability, and individual differences in socio-cognitive functioning. Future studies focusing on these open questions are expected to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the role of the central OT system in humans and may provide the basis for novel treatment approaches for mental disorders characterized by social deficits.
Keywords
functional imaging, oxytocin, brain activity, social behavior, social cognition
Date
2014
Type
Journal article
Journal
Brain Research
Book
Volume
1580
Issue
September
Page Range
160-171
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled