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Cited by 97Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorNeuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Oxytocin facilitates approach behavior to positive social stimuli via decreasing anterior insula activity

Open access
Yao, Shuxia, Zhao, Weihua, Geng, Yayuan, Chen, Yuanshu, Zhao, Zhiying, Ma, Xiaole, Xu, Lei, Becker, Benjamin +1 more·2018·International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
DOI 10.1093/ijnp/pyy068PMC PMC6165955
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Abstract

Background: The neuropeptide oxytocin can extensively modulate human social behavior and affective processing, and its effects can be interpreted in terms of mediating approach-avoidance motivational processes. However, little is known about how oxytocin mediates approach-avoidance behavior and particularly the underlying neural mechanisms. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, between-subject design, the present pharmaco-fMRI study used an approach-avoidance paradigm to investigate oxytocin's effects on approach-avoidance behavior and associated neural mechanisms. Results: Results revealed that oxytocin generally decreased activity in the right striatum irrespective of response (approach/avoidance) and social context, suggesting an inhibitory effect on motivational representation during both appetitive approach and aversive avoidance. Importantly, while on the behavioral level oxytocin selectively enhanced accuracy when approaching social positive stimuli, on the neural level it decreased left ventral and right dorsal anterior insula activity in response to social vs nonsocial positive stimuli compared with the placebo treatment. The left ventral anterior insula activity was negatively correlated with the corresponding accuracy difference scores in the oxytocin but not in the placebo group. Conclusion: Given the role of the ventral anterior insula in emotional processing and the dorsal anterior insula in salience processing, the oxytocin-induced suppression of activity in these regions may indicate that oxytocin is acting to reduce interference from hyper-activity in core regions of the emotional and salience networks when approaching salient positive social stimuli and thereby to promote social interaction. Thus, oxytocin may be of potential therapeutic benefit for psychiatric disorders exhibiting avoidance of social stimuli.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In a randomized, double-blind, between-subject pharmaco-fMRI study, intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) selectively improved accuracy when healthy male participants approached positive social stimuli. This behavioral effect was accompanied by oxytocin-induced decreases in left ventral and right dorsal anterior insula activity to social versus nonsocial positive stimuli, with left ventral anterior insula activity negatively correlated with the accuracy difference in the oxytocin group only.

Key findings

  • Oxytocin generally decreased right striatum activity irrespective of response type and social context (MNI=22, 2, 8, t=4.05, P<sub>FWE</sub>=.025 SVC, 48 voxels).
  • During appetitive approach, oxytocin decreased right striatum (t=3.96, P<sub>FWE</sub>=.031 SVC) and left dorsal anterior insula activity (t=3.52, P<sub>FWE</sub>=.040 SVC); during aversive avoidance, it decreased right striatum (t=4.31, P<sub>FWE</sub>=.011 SVC) and right amygdala activity (t=3.34, P<sub>FWE</sub>=.025 SVC).
  • Oxytocin selectively enhanced response accuracy for social positive stimuli (P=.031) but not nonsocial positive stimuli (P=.568), and decreased left ventral anterior insula (t=3.57, P<sub>FWE</sub>=.022 SVC) and right dorsal anterior insula (t=3.40, P<sub>FWE</sub>=.036 SVC) activity for social versus nonsocial positive stimuli.
  • Left ventral anterior insula activity was negatively correlated with the social-minus-nonsocial positive accuracy difference in the oxytocin group (r=−0.346, df=39, P=.031) but not the placebo group (r=0.039, df=37, P=.818); the between-group correlation difference was marginal (Fisher z=−1.672, P=.094).

Methods

  • A total of 83 healthy male students (mean age=21.35 years, SD=2.48) were randomized to intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) or placebo; 7 were excluded for technical issues or excessive head movement, leaving 39 oxytocin and 37 placebo participants in the final analysis.
  • Participants completed a face-independent approach-avoidance task with social and nonsocial positive and negative scenes, approaching positive stimuli and avoiding negative stimuli during fMRI; fMRI acquisition began 45 minutes after treatment.
  • fMRI data were processed with SPM8; analyses focused on a priori regions of interest (amygdala, anterior insula, striatum) using anatomically defined ROIs and small-volume correction at P<sub>FWE</sub><.05 peak level, with additional exploratory whole-brain analyses.

Limitations

  • The paper states that participants only approached positive and avoided negative stimuli, so effects of oxytocin on approaching negative and avoiding positive stimuli remain undetermined.
  • The paper states that only male subjects were used to avoid menstrual-cycle confounds, so conclusions are limited to males and sex differences remain unexplored.
  • The paper states that a valence confound between social and nonsocial positive stimuli cannot be completely excluded, though no association was found between individual picture valence and response accuracy; it also notes uncertainty about whether effects would appear at lower oxytocin doses.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1093/ijnp/pyy068

Cites

64 of 64 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 57 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Oxytocin decreased left ventral anterior insula activity in response to social vs nonsocial positive stimuli compared with placebo.

    “it decreased left ventral and right dorsal anterior insula activity in response to social vs nonsocial positive stimuli compared with the placebo treatment”
    • Also stated in: § fMRI Results · plain
      “significant interaction effects in the left ventral AI (MNI=-42, 6, -6, t=3.57, PFWE=.022 SVC, voxels=14; Figure 3A)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Oxytocin selectively enhanced accuracy when approaching social positive stimuli.

    “while on the behavioral level oxytocin selectively enhanced accuracy when approaching social positive stimuli”
    • Also stated in: § Behavioral Results · hedged
      “an exploratory pairwise comparison revealed a significantly higher RA only for social (P=.031) but not nonsocial positive stimuli (P=.568) in the OT relative to the PLC group”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Oxytocin generally decreased activity in the right striatum irrespective of response (approach/avoidance) and social context.

    “Results revealed that oxytocin generally decreased activity in the right striatum irrespective of response (approach/avoidance) and social context”
    • Also stated in: § fMRI Results · plain
      “This revealed decreased right striatum activity (MNI=22, 2, 8, t=4.05, PFWE=.025 SVC, voxels=48; Figure 2A) in the OT compared with the PLC group (OT all conditions<PLC all conditions).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The correlation between left ventral anterior insula activity and accuracy difference scores differed between oxytocin and placebo groups (marginally significant).

    “The correlation difference between groups was tested using the Fisher z-transformation test and revealed a marginally significant difference between the OT and PLC groups (Fishers z-score=-1.672, P=.094).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Subjects were significantly faster to approach positive than to avoid negative stimuli.

    “This revealed a significant main effect of response type (F(1, 74)=250.46, P<.001), with subjects being significantly faster to approach positive than to avoid negative stimuli (1617.33±176.84 vs 1776.95±184.28).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 32
  • May combine two claims. 15

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    There were no other significant effects in the a priori regions of interest.

    “There were also no other significant effects in the a priori ROIs (PFWE<.05 SVC).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The interaction between social context and response type was marginally significant, suggesting a trend of higher accuracy to social vs nonsocial stimuli for positive but not negative stimuli.

    “The interaction between social context and response type was marginally significant (F(1, 74)=3.18, P=.079), suggesting a trend of higher accuracy to social vs nonsocial stimuli for positive (P<.001; 98.8%±2.1% vs 96.2%±4.0%) but not negative stimuli (P=.280; 92.1%±6.1% vs 91.3%±5.6%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The interaction between social context, response type, and treatment was not significant.

    “While the interaction between social context, response type, and treatment was not significant (F(1, 74)=0.76, P=.385)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Little is known about how oxytocin mediates approach-avoidance behavior and particularly the underlying neural mechanisms.

    “However, little is known about how oxytocin mediates approach-avoidance behavior and particularly the underlying neural mechanisms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin's effects can be interpreted in terms of mediating approach-avoidance motivational processes.

    “and its effects can be interpreted in terms of mediating approach-avoidance motivational processes”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Harari-Dahan and Bernstein, 2014

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The present pharmaco-fMRI study used a randomized, double-blind, between-subject design.

    “In a randomized, double-blind, between-subject design, the present pharmaco-fMRI study used an approach-avoidance paradigm to investigate oxytocin’s effects on approach-avoidance behavior and associated neural mechanisms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin can extensively modulate human social behavior and affective processing.

    “The neuropeptide oxytocin can extensively modulate human social behavior and affective processing”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Striepens et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Kendrick et al., 2018 source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Within the general approach-avoidance hypothesis of oxytocin, oxytocin's complex behavioral effects are considered to be rooted in its modulation of the salience of personally relevant and emotionally evocative stimuli not necessarily restricted to social contexts.

    “More specifically, within this extended overarching framework, OT’s complex behavioral effects are considered to be rooted in its modulation of the salience of personally relevant and emotionally evocative stimuli not necessarily restricted to social contexts (Harari-Dahan and Bernstein, 2014; cf. Kemp and Guastella, 2011 for the social-approach/withdrawal hypothesis and Shamay-Tsoory and Abu-Akel”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Harari-Dahan and Bernstein, 2014

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    • cites Kemp and Guastella, 2011 source

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    • cites Shamay-Tsoory and Abu-Akel, 2016 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Few studies have experimentally evaluated the proposed effects of oxytocin on approach-avoidance behavior and particularly the underlying neural mechanisms.

    “However, surprisingly few studies have experimentally evaluated the proposed effects of OT on AA behavior and particularly the underlying neural mechanisms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Harari-Dahan and Bernstein (2014) proposed the general approach-avoidance hypothesis of oxytocin that broad effects of oxytocin on human behavior are mediated by its actions on basal approach-avoidance motivational processes.

    “Harari-Dahan and Bernstein (2014) proposed in their general approach-avoidance (AA) hypothesis of OT (GAAO) that the broad effects of OT on human behavior are mediated by its actions on basal AA motivational processes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Harari-Dahan and Bernstein (2014)

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    These findings provide the first confirmatory evidence for the general approach-avoidance hypothesis of oxytocin by demonstrating that oxytocin facilitates human approach behavior to social positive stimuli via inhibiting anterior insula activity.

    “These findings provide the first confirmatory evidence for the GAAO by demonstrating that OT facilitates human approach behavior to social positive stimuli via inhibiting AI activity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The effects observed in healthy male students generalize to the human population.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Neural substrates mediating oxytocin's effects on approach-avoidance behavior remain unclear, with initial evidence showing decreased amygdala activity only when approaching angry faces.

    “Moreover, the neural substrates mediating OT’s effects on AA behavior also remain unclear, with initial evidence showing decreased amygdala activity only when approaching angry faces (Radke et al., 2017).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Radke et al., 2017 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    A total of 7 subjects were excluded due to technical issues during data acquisition or excessive head movement.

    “A total of 7 subjects were excluded due to technical issues during data acquisition (4 subjects) or excessive head movement (3 subjects).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In a previous study, oxytocin accelerated both approach and avoidance behavior towards emotionally negative stimuli such as disgusted faces.

    “In a previous study that examined the effects of intranasal OT on human AA behavior, OT was found to accelerate both approach and avoidance behavior towards emotionally negative stimuli such as disgusted faces (Theodoridou et al., 2013; Harari-Dahan and Bernstein, 2017).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Theodoridou et al., 2013 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Harari-Dahan and Bernstein, 2017

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin can facilitate appetitive approach behaviors, such as interpersonal trust and generosity, pair bonding and maternal behavior, and emotional empathy and face recognition.

    “While OT can facilitate appetitive approach behaviors, such as interpersonal trust and generosity (Kosfeld et al., 2005; Zak et al., 2007), pair bonding and maternal behavior (Strathearn et al., 2009; Scheele et al., 2012) and emotional empathy and face recognition (Hurlemann et al., 2010; Marsh et al., 2010)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Kosfeld et al., 2005 source

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    • cites Zak et al., 2007 source

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    • cites Strathearn et al., 2009 source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Subjects completed validated psychometric questionnaires before treatment to control for potential confounding effects from personality traits or mood states.

    “To control for potential confounding effects from personality traits or mood states, subjects completed Chinese versions of validated psychometric questionnaires before treatment, including the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson et al., 1988), Autism Spectrum Quotient (Baron-Cohen et al., 2001), Empathy Quotient (Baron-Cohen and Wheelwright, 2004), and NEO 5-factor inventory (Costa and”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Watson et al., 1988 source

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    • cites Baron-Cohen et al., 2001 source

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    • cites Baron-Cohen and Wheelwright, 2004 source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin facilitated approach towards angry faces with a direct gaze.

    “Using similar paradigms, OT also facilitated approach towards angry faces with a direct gaze (Radke et al., 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Radke et al., 2013 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In the context of pair bonding, oxytocin modulated interpersonal space by decreasing the preferred distance men in a romantic relationship kept between themselves and an unknown attractive woman.

    “Furthermore, in the context of pair bonding, OT was found to modulate interpersonal space by decreasing the preferred distance men in a romantic relationship kept between themselves and an unknown attractive woman (Scheele et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Scheele et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Subjects received oxytocin/placebo treatment in accordance with a standardized protocol, and fMRI acquisition started 45 minutes after treatment.

    “Subjects received OT/PLC treatment in accordance with a standardized protocol (Guastella et al., 2013), and fMRI acquisition started 45 minutes after treatment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Guastella et al., 2013 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    A total of 83 healthy male students participated in a randomized, double-blind, between-subject experiment and were randomly assigned to receive intranasal oxytocin or placebo.

    “A total of 83 healthy male students (mean age=21.35 years, SD=2.48) participated in a randomized, double-blind, between-subject experiment and were randomly assigned to receive either intranasal OT (40 IU; Oxytocin Spray, Sichuan Meike Pharmacy Co. Ltd, China) or placebo (PLC; same ingredients other than OT, i.e., sodium chloride and glycerin).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Subjects completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule 3 times to control for potentially confounding influence of altered mood states.

    “To further control for a potentially confounding influence of altered mood states, subjects were asked to complete the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule 3 times: after they first arrived (pretreatment), before MRI scanning (posttreatment), and finally after scanning (post-scan).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Oxytocin-induced suppression of activity in ventral and dorsal anterior insula may indicate that oxytocin acts to reduce interference from hyper-activity in core regions of emotional and salience networks when approaching salient positive social stimuli and thereby promotes social interaction.

    “Given the role of the ventral anterior insula in emotional processing and the dorsal anterior insula in salience processing, the oxytocin-induced suppression of activity in these regions may indicate that oxytocin is acting to reduce interference from hyper-activity in core regions of the emotional and salience networks when approaching salient positive social stimuli and thereby to promote social”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin can promote aversive avoidance behavior by increasing envy and schadenfreude, ethnocentrism, group-serving dishonesty, and noncooperation.

    “it can also promote aversive avoidance behavior by increasing envy and schadenfreude (Shamay-Tsoory et al., 2009), ethnocentrism (e.g., trust and empathy; De Dreu et al., 2010; Sheng et al., 2013), group-serving dishonesty (Shalvi and De Dreu, 2014), and noncooperation (Bartz et al., 2011; De Dreu et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Shamay-Tsoory et al., 2009 source

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    • cites De Dreu et al., 2010 source

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    • cites Sheng et al., 2013 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    In a prestudy, 620 pictures were rated in terms of valence and arousal by an independent sample of 34 healthy volunteers, and based on this data, 112 stimuli were selected.

    “In a prestudy, we selected 620 pictures mostly from the International Affective Picture System (Lang et al., 2008) and additionally from the Internet that were rated in terms of valence and arousal (9-point Likert scale) by an independent sample of 34 healthy volunteers (18 males). Based on this data, a total of 112 stimuli (28 pictures per category, positive vs negative and social vs nonsocial)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lang et al., 2008

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    These studies predominantly used emotional faces and were unable to determine whether observed effects were driven by oxytocin's actions on increased attention and attraction to faces per se.

    “However, these studies predominantly used emotional faces to investigate OT’s actions on AA behavior and were thus unable to determine whether observed effects were driven by its well-established actions on increased attention and attraction to faces per se (Theodoridou et al., 2009; Domes et al., 2013; Shahrestani et al., 2013; Striepens et al., 2014; Xu et al., 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Theodoridou et al., 2009 source

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    • cites Domes et al., 2013 source

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    • cites Shahrestani et al., 2013 source

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    Premisecitation

    The dorsal AI has a role in salience processing.

    “and the dorsal AI in salience processing (Menon, 2015; Uddin, 2015)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Menon, 2015 source

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    • cites Uddin, 2015 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Previous observations show that OT can enhance processing of positive facial emotion.

    “Consistent with previous observations that OT can enhance processing of positive facial emotion (Guastella et al., 2008; Marsh et al., 2010; Domes et al., 2013; Xu et al., 2015)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Guastella et al., 2008 source

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    • cites Marsh et al., 2010 source

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    • cites Domes et al., 2013 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    OT effects on social behavior are often highly context and person dependent.

    “Given that OT effects on social behavior are often highly context and person dependent (Bartz et al., 2011)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bartz et al., 2011 source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The oxytocinergic downregulation of AI activation may act to attenuate interference caused by hyperactivation of the AI when subjects approach external social positive stimuli, resulting in enhanced accuracy of social information processing and facilitation of social interaction.

    “Thus, the oxytocinergic downregulation of AI activation may act to attenuate interference caused by hyperactivation of the AI when subjects approach external social positive stimuli, resulting in enhanced accuracy of social information processing and facilitation of social interaction.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The inconsistency between the present inhibitory effects and previous findings could be due to different paradigms and contexts used in previous studies.

    “this inconsistency could be due to different paradigms and contexts used in these previous studies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The AI is a core hub of the salience network.

    “As a core hub of the salience network (Menon, 2015; Uddin, 2015)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Menon, 2015 source

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    • cites Uddin, 2015 source

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    Premisecitation

    The ventral AI has a role in emotional processing.

    “Given the role of the ventral AI in emotional processing (Nieuwenhuys, 2012; Uddin, 2015; Wager and Barrett, 2017)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Nieuwenhuys, 2012 source

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    • cites Uddin, 2015 source

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    • cites Wager and Barrett, 2017

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The finding that OT decreased amygdala activity during avoidance of negative stimuli is in line with the anxiolytic action of OT via inhibiting amygdala responses to threatening stimuli.

    “This finding is in line with the anxiolytic action of OT via inhibiting amygdala responses to threatening stimuli (Kirsch et al., 2005; Petrovic et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Kirsch et al., 2005 source

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    • cites Petrovic et al., 2008 source

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    Premisecitation

    A previous study revealed a dose-dependent effect of OT (12, 24, and 48 IU), with the 24-IU dose being most effective in inhibiting amygdala activity during negative emotional processing.

    “A previous study has revealed a dose-dependent effect of OT (12, 24, and 48 IU), with the 24-IU dose being most effective in inhibiting amygdala activity during negative emotional processing (Spengler et al., 2017).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Spengler et al., 2017 source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The study used only male subjects, so the present conclusions are limited to males.

    “Secondly, we used only male subjects to avoid possible confounding effects from menstrual cycle; thus, the present conclusions are limited to males”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This inhibitory effect of OT may reduce interference from emotion-facilitated hyperactivation of core regions of the emotional and salience networks when approaching external social salient positive stimuli and consequently be of benefit in promoting social interaction.

    “This inhibitory effect of OT may reduce interference from emotion-facilitated hyperactivation of core regions of the emotional and salience networks when approaching external social salient positive stimuli and consequently be of benefit in promoting social interaction.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    OT inhibits motivational representations both during appetitive approach and aversive avoidance.

    “while OT inhibits motivational representations both during appetitive approach and aversive avoidance”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The study cannot completely exclude the possibility of a complex interaction involving differences in social and nonsocial stimuli valence and OT effects on response accuracy during approach behavior.

    “Thirdly, another potential limitation is that we cannot completely exclude the possibility of a complex interaction involving differences in social and nonsocial stimuli valence and OT effects on response accuracy during approach behavior.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The present findings may lend support for potential therapeutic benefits of OT for psychiatric disorders such as social anxiety and autism exhibiting altered approach/avoidance towards social stimuli.

    “Moreover, within this context, the present findings may lend support for potential therapeutic benefits of OT for psychiatric disorders such as social anxiety and autism exhibiting altered approach/avoidance towards social stimuli (Heuer et al., 2007; Davis et al., 2010; Roelofs et al., 2010; Tanaka and Sung, 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Heuer et al., 2007 source

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    • cites Davis et al., 2010 source

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    • cites Roelofs et al., 2010 source

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39 of 39

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The effects observed in healthy male students generalize to the human population.

    “OT facilitates human approach behavior to social positive stimuli via inhibiting AI activity.”
    “A total of 83 healthy male students (mean age=21.35 years, SD=2.48) participated”
1 of 1

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Although OXT may weaken overall motivation, it improves the accuracy of approach to positive stimuli.

    “Although OXT may weaken overall motivation, it improves the accuracy of approach to positive stimuli (Yao et al., 2018).”

    From Music's context-dependent influence on oxytocin, social bonding, and emotion regulation: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Yao et al., 2018

    The Discussion says oxytocin may inhibit motivational representation during approach and avoidance, but it does not establish that overall motivation is weakened. The Behavioral Results report improved approach accuracy only for positive social stimuli, not positive nonsocial stimuli; the citing sentence omits that restriction. Page numbers were not provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In both approach and avoidance behaviors, increased OXT reduces right striatum activity, potentially suppressing excessive emotional interference and promoting appropriate behavioral selection.

    “in both approach and avoidance behaviors, increased OXT reduces right striatum activity, potentially suppressing excessive emotional interference and promoting appropriate behavioral selection.”

    From Music's context-dependent influence on oxytocin, social bonding, and emotion regulation: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as Yao et al., 2018

    The Results and Discussion report that oxytocin decreased right-striatum activity during both approach to positive stimuli and avoidance of negative stimuli. The Discussion suggests reduced emotional interference specifically when approaching positive social stimuli and links that possibility to anterior insula inhibition; it does not establish that reduced striatal activity suppresses interference in both behaviors or promotes appropriate behavioral selection. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • ConsistentF(1, 74) = 250.46reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “F(1, 74)=250.46, p < .001”

  • ConsistentF(1, 74) = 19.04reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “F(1, 74)=19.04, p < .001”

  • ConsistentF(1, 74) = 15.75reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “F(1, 74)=15.75, p < .001”

  • ConsistentF(1, 74) = 109.59reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “F(1, 74)=109.59, p < .001”

  • ConsistentF(1, 74) = 0.76reported p = .385 · recomputed p = .386

    “F(1, 74)=0.76, p = .385”

  • ConsistentF(1, 74) = 3.18reported p = .079 · recomputed p = .079

    “F(1, 74)=3.18, p = .079”

6 of 6

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

  • Incorrect degrees of freedom for picture-level correlations

    Minor

    The methods state that 28 pictures were selected per category. A Pearson correlation across the 28 social-positive pictures has 26 degrees of freedom, not the reported 28; the same issue applies to the nonsocial-positive correlation.

    Reported 28 · recomputed 26

  • Incorrect degrees of freedom for the oxytocin-group correlation

    Minor

    The final analysis included 39 subjects in the oxytocin group. A Pearson correlation across 39 subjects has 37 degrees of freedom, not 39.

    Reported 39 · recomputed 37

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

2 of the 66 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Costa, 1992, Revised NEO personality inventory (NEO PI-R) and NEO five-factor inventory (NEO FFI): Professional manual

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Yao, S., Zhao, W., Geng, Y., Chen, Y., Zhao, Z., Ma, X., Xu, L., Becker, B., & Kendrick, K. M.
Affiliations
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Becker, Benjamin
  • Kendrick, Keith M
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2018-08-04
Volume
21
Issue
10
Pages
918-925
ISSN
  • 1461-1457 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-5111
DOI
10.1093/ijnp/pyy068
PMC
PMC6165955
OpenAlex
W2887153676
Cited by
97
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2
FWCI
23.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (31700998, 31530032)
  • Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (ZYGX2015Z002)
  • Science, Innovation and Technology Department of the Sichuan Province (2018JY0001)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
Keywords
oxytocin, approach-avoidance behavior, anterior insula, ventral anterior insula, dorsal anterior insula, social stimuli, striatum, emotional processing, salience processing, social interaction, social anxiety
MeSH terms
Administration, Intranasal, Cerebral Cortex, Choice Behavior, Corpus Striatum, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Neuropeptides, Oxytocin, Social Behavior, Young Adult, Functional Neuroimaging, Healthy Volunteers

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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