Enhanced orienting of attention in response to emotional gaze cues after oxytocin administration in healthy young men

PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY

卷:38

Article

Tollenaar, Marieke S.^1,2  Chatzimanoli, Michaela¹  van der Wee, Nic J. A.^2,3  Putman, Peter^1,2 

[1] Leiden Univ, Clin Hlth & Neuropsychol Unit, NL-2300 RB Leiden, Netherlands

[2] Leiden Inst Brain & Cognit, Leiden, Netherlands

[3] Leiden Univ, Med Ctr, Dept Psychiat, NL-2300 RB Leiden, Netherlands

关键词: Oxytocin;    Attention;    Gaze cue;    Cueing score;    Emotion;    Fear;    Social salience;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.02.018

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Background: Oxytocin is known to enhance recognition of emotional expressions and may increase attention to the eye region. Therefore, we investigated whether oxytocin administration would lead to increased orienting of attention in response to gaze cues of emotional faces. Methods: In a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study 20 healthy males received 24 IU of oxytocin or placebo. Thirty-five minutes after administration they performed a gaze cueing task with happy, fearful and neutral faces. Stress levels were measured throughout the study. Results: Oxytocin did not affect stress levels during the study, but significantly increased gaze cueing scores for happy and fearful expressions compared to placebo. No effects were found for neutral expressions. Trait anxiety or depression did not moderate the effect. Conclusions: Oxytocin increases orienting of attention in response to emotional gaze cues, both for happy and fearful expressions. Replication is needed in female and clinical populations. Effects of oxytocin on early, automatic processing levels should be studied in relation to previously found pro-social and behavioral effects of oxytocin. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free