Dose-dependent Effects of Oxytocin on the Amygdala and Reward System

Dose-dependent Effects of Oxytocin on the Amygdala and Reward System Vary Between Women and Men

The purpose of this study is to determine whether effects of intranasal oxytocin on amygdala and reward system responses vary as a function of treatment dose in women in comparison to men.

The objective of the present study is to determine whether intranasal oxytocin (IN-OXT) effects on blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) in the amygdala and striatal regions (putamen, nucleus accumbens, caudate, pallidum) vary as a function of dose. In particular, the investigators plan to compare effects of three different IN-OXT doses (6, 12, and 24 international units, IU) on established neural and behavioural correlates of emotion processing in women. Results will be discussed in comparison to a previous study of OXT kinetics in men.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy female volunteers
• Right-handed
• Non-smoker

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current psychiatric or physical illness
• Hormonal contraception
• Psychoactive medication
• MRI contraindication (e.g. metal in body, claustrophobia)
• Pregnancy