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Cited by 78Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAction Observation and SynchronizationOlfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Oxytocin Enhancement of Emotional Empathy: Generalization Across Cultures and Effects on Amygdala Activity

Open access
Geng, Yayuan, Zhao, Weihua, Zhou, Feng, Ma, Xiaole, Yao, Shuxia, Hurlemann, Rene, Becker, Benjamin, Kendrick, Keith M.·2018·Frontiers in Neuroscience
DOI 10.3389/fnins.2018.00512PMC PMC6079225

Published version of a preprint

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Abstract

Abstract Accumulating evidence suggests that the neuropeptide oxytocin can enhance empathy although it is unclear which specific behavioral and neural aspects are influenced, and whether the effects are modulated by culture, sex and trait autism. Based on previous findings in Caucasian men, we hypothesized that a single intranasal dose of oxytocin would specifically enhance emotional empathy via modulatory effects on the amygdala in an Asian (Chinese) population and explored the modulatory role of sex and trait autism on the effects. We first conducted a double-blind, randomized between-subject design experiment using a modified version of the multifaceted empathy task (MET) to determine whether oxytocin’s facilitation of emotional empathy can be replicated in Chinese men (n = 60). To further explore neural mechanisms behind and potential sex differences, functional MRI and skin conductance measures were acquired in an independent experiment incorporating men and women (n = 72). Oxytocin enhanced emotional empathy across experiments and sex, an effect that was accompanied by reduced amygdala activity and increased skin conductance responses. On the network level oxytocin enhanced functional coupling of the right amygdala with the insula and posterior cingulate cortex for positive valence stimuli but attenuated coupling for negative valence stimuli. The effect of oxytocin on amygdala functional connectivity with the insula was modulated by trait autism. Overall, our findings provide further support for the role of oxytocin in facilitating emotional empathy and demonstrate that effects are independent of culture and sex and involve modulatory effects on the amygdala and its interactions with other key empathy regions.

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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In two independent double-blind placebo-controlled experiments in healthy Chinese participants, intranasal oxytocin enhanced emotional but not cognitive empathy on the MET, replicating prior Caucasian findings and generalizing across sex. fMRI showed the effect was accompanied by reduced bilateral amygdala activity during direct emotional empathy and valence-dependent changes in right amygdala connectivity with the insula and PCC.

Key findings

  • Oxytocin enhanced direct emotional empathy (EED) in Exp 1 (24 IU; F(1,57) = 6.46, P = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.10) and Exp 2 (40 IU; F(1,67) = 5.81, P = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.08); Exp 2 also enhanced indirect emotional empathy (EEI; F(1,67) = 4.84, P = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.07). Cognitive empathy accuracy did not differ between OXT and PLC in either experiment (Exp 1: 77.53 ± 6.02% vs. 78.94 ± 5.78%, P = 0.36; Exp 2: 80.10 ± 6.18% vs. 81.57 ± 5.83%, P = 0.31).
  • No significant sex effects on empathy were observed in Exp 2 (all Ps > 0.18).
  • fMRI ROI analyses showed OXT reduced bilateral amygdala responses during EED (left: F(1,63) = 6.55, P = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.09; right: F(1,63) = 5.18, P = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.08), with no significant main effects for CE or EEI and no treatment × valence interactions in these ROIs; whole-brain analysis found no regions outside the predefined ROIs.
  • OXT altered right amygdala functional coupling with bilateral insula and PCC during EED in a valence-dependent manner: increased connectivity for positive valence and decreased connectivity for negative valence. Trait autism modulated some effects, e.g., right amygdala–left insula coupling during positive EED correlated with ASQ in PLC (r = 0.40, P = 0.02) but not OXT (r = -0.22, P = 0.22; Fisher’s Z = 2.50, P = 0.01). SCR increased under OXT during EEI (F(1,66) = 4.50, P = 0.04) and marginally during EED (P = 0.06).

Methods

  • Two independent double-blind, randomized between-subject placebo-controlled experiments in healthy Chinese participants. Exp 1 included 60 males (final n = 59) receiving 24 IU intranasal OXT or PLC; Exp 2 included an independent sample of 72 men and women (final n = 69; 34 females) receiving 40 IU OXT or PLC.
  • Empathy was assessed with a modified MET using Chinese stimuli (30 positive, 30 negative valence), measuring cognitive empathy (CE), direct emotional empathy (EED), and indirect emotional empathy (EEI). Exp 2 additionally acquired fMRI and skin conductance responses during the task.
  • Analyses used ANOVAs for behavioral, SCR, and ROI data; whole-brain FWE-corrected analyses; generalized psychophysiological interaction (gPPI) for functional connectivity; and Pearson correlations with Autism Spectrum Quotient (ASQ) scores.

Limitations

  • Stated: the authors could not directly compare Caucasian and Chinese participants, only used the MET paradigm, did not assess endogenous OXT levels, and could not rule out interactions between scanner-related stress/endogenous OXT and treatment. They also note the absence of sex differences may relate to Chinese male and female participants having similar EE and ASQ scores.
  • Stated: because Exp 1 and Exp 2 differed in dose (24 vs. 40 IU) and environment (behavioral testing room vs. MRI scanner), the authors state this precludes interpretation of dose-related differences between experiments.
  • Evident: the sample was healthy, non-clinical, and the authors state that the extent to which the trait-autism findings support therapeutic use in autism spectrum disorders remains unclear.

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

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3389/fnins.2018.00512

Cites

91 of 91 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

32 tests recomputed · 0 with the reported and recomputed p on opposite sides of .05

Claims the paper makes

0 of 38 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    The MRI environment did not affect cognitive empathy (CE) ratings in placebo-treated subjects.

    “but no effects on CE [main effect: P = 0.15, F(1,47) = 2.19, ηp2 = 0.05; interaction: P = 0.9, F(1,47) = 0.02, ηp2 < 0.001].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The effect of oxytocin on amygdala functional connectivity with the insula was modulated by trait autism.

    “The effect of OXT on amygdala functional connectivity with the insula was modulated by trait autism.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In Experiment 1, oxytocin enhanced direct emotional empathy (EED) ratings.

    “In Exp 1, there was a main effect of treatment [F(1,57) = 6.46, P = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.10] for EED indicating that OXT generally enhanced EED (Figure 2A).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Oxytocin increased skin conductance responses (SCR) during indirect emotional empathy (EEI) trials.

    “There was a marginal main effect of treatment on SCR during EED trials and significant during EEI trials [EED: F(1,66) = 3.77, P = 0.06, ηp2 = 0.05; EEI: F(1,66) = 4.50, P = 0.04, ηp2 = 0.06], but not during CE trials [F(1,66) = 2.14, P = 0.15, ηp2 = 0.03]. This was due to SCR responses being increased in the OXT group during EE and EEI trials (Figure 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In Experiment 2, oxytocin enhanced direct emotional empathy (EED) ratings.

    “Consistent with the findings for EED in Exp 1, Exp 2 also yielded a significant main effect of treatment on EED [F(1,67) = 5.81, P = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.08] with higher ratings following OXT compared to PLC (Figure 2B).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 23
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 18

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Intranasal oxytocin enhanced emotional empathy (EE) in both experiments and in both sexes.

    “OXT enhanced EE across experiments and sex, an effect that was accompanied by reduced amygdala activity and increased skin conductance responses.”
    • Also stated in: § Behavioral Results · plain
      “In Exp 1, there was a main effect of treatment [F(1,57) = 6.46, P = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.10] for EED indicating that OXT generally enhanced EED (Figure 2A).”
    • Also stated in: § Behavioral Results · plain
      “In Exp 2, no significant main or interaction effects involving sex were observed (all Ps > 0.18) arguing against sex-dependent effects of OXT on empathy.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The correlation difference between placebo and oxytocin groups for the EED-amygdala correlation was significant for the left but not the right amygdala.

    “The correlation difference between the PLC and OXT groups was significant for the left (Fisher’s Z = 2.05, P = 0.04) but not the right (Fisher’s Z = 1.43, P = 0.15) amygdala (Figure 6B).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Oxytocin reduced bilateral amygdala activity during direct emotional empathy (EED) trials.

    “an effect that was accompanied by reduced amygdala activity and increased skin conductance responses.”
    • Also stated in: § Oxytocin Effects on Neural Activity · plain
      “Main treatment effects were only observed in the amygdala (Figure 6A) for EED [left amygdala: F(1,63) = 6.55, P = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.09; right amygdala: F(1,63) = 5.18, P = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.08].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In Experiment 1, the correlation between ASQ and EED significantly differed between placebo and oxytocin groups, but the correlation between ASQ and EEI did not.

    “The correlation significantly differed between the PLC and OXT groups for EED (Fisher’s z = -2.13, P = 0.03) although not for EEI (Fisher’s z = -1.43, P = 0.15).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the placebo (PLC) group, direct emotional empathy (EED) scores positively correlated with bilateral amygdala responses, and this correlation was absent in the oxytocin (OXT) group.

    “There was a significant positive correlation between EED scores and bilateral amygdala responses in the PLC group (left r = 0.49, P = 0.004; right r = 0.35, P = 0.04) which was absent in the OXT group (left r = 0.005, P = 0.98; right r = -0.007, P = 0.97).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Oxytocin enhanced functional coupling of the right amygdala with the bilateral insula and bilateral posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) for positive valence stimuli, and attenuated coupling for negative valence stimuli.

    “On the network level OXT enhanced functional coupling of the right amygdala with the insula and posterior cingulate cortex for positive valence stimuli but attenuated coupling for negative valence stimuli.”
    • Also stated in: § Oxytocin Effects on Functional Connectivity · plain
      “Extraction of parameter estimates further revealed that OXT increased functional connectivity for positive valence stimuli whereas it decreased connectivity for negative valence ones [left insula: positive, F(1,61) = 10.52, P = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.15, negative, F(1,61) = 3.86, P = 0.05, ηp2 = 0.06; right insula: positive, F(1,61) = 3.34, P = 0.07, ηp2 = 0.05, negative, F(1,61) = 5.53, P = 0.02, ηp2 = 0”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Oxytocin did not significantly affect amygdala activity for cognitive empathy (CE) or indirect emotional empathy (EEI).

    “There were no significant main effects for CE or EEI or any treatment × valence interactions for CE, EED, or EEI.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Oxytocin increased skin conductance responses (SCR) during direct emotional empathy (EED) trials, with a marginal main effect of treatment.

    “There was a marginal main effect of treatment on SCR during EED trials and significant during EEI trials [EED: F(1,66) = 3.77, P = 0.06, ηp2 = 0.05; EEI: F(1,66) = 4.50, P = 0.04, ηp2 = 0.06], but not during CE trials [F(1,66) = 2.14, P = 0.15, ηp2 = 0.03]. This was due to SCR responses being increased in the OXT group during EE and EEI trials (Figure 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the Chinese study cohort, there were no sex differences in EE, trait empathy, or trait autism scores.

    “there were no sex-differences in EE, trait empathy (Wu et al., 2012) or trait autism (Kawamura et al., 2011; Montag et al., 2017) scores in our Chinese study cohort”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Wu et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Kawamura et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Montag et al., 2017 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • Rests on an assumption: The ASQ total score validly measures trait autism.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    During negative-valence EED trials, right amygdala-left PCC coupling strength was positively correlated with total ASQ score in the PLC group (r = 0.36, P = 0.04).

    “The strength of link between the right amygdala and left PCC during negative valence EED trials was positively correlated with the total ASQ score in the PLC group”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Intranasal OXT specifically facilitates emotional empathy (EE) but not cognitive empathy (CE) as assessed by the MET paradigm in Chinese participants.

    “The present study confirmed in two independent samples that intranasal OXT specifically facilitates EE but not CE as assessed by the MET paradigm in Chinese participants”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The MET paradigm validly assesses emotional and cognitive empathy.
    • Rests on an assumption: The Chinese participants are representative of Chinese culture for the purpose of cross-cultural generalization.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    OXT only increased SCR in EE and not CE trials.

    “OXT only increased the SCR in EE and not CE trials.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The MET paradigm validly assesses emotional and cognitive empathy.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    In the present study, neither sex nor valence influenced amygdala reactivity.

    “In the present study, neither sex nor valence influenced amygdala reactivity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Intranasal OXT administration affects central neural processes.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Chinese male and female participants exhibited similar EE scores and similar ASQ scores.

    “our Chinese male and female participants exhibiting similar EE scores, in contrast to Caucasian participants (Hurlemann et al., 2010), and also similar ASQ scores.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hurlemann et al., 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • Rests on an assumption: The ASQ total score validly measures trait autism.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Overall, the findings support that oxytocin facilitates emotional empathy and that these effects are independent of culture and sex.

    “Overall, our findings provide further support for the role of OXT in facilitating EE and demonstrate that effects are independent of culture and sex and involve modulatory effects on the amygdala and its interactions with other key empathy regions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Previous studies on the empathy enhancing potential of intranasal oxytocin are entirely based on observations in Caucasian populations.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    Empathy is a multidimensional construct entailing cognitive empathy (CE) and emotional empathy (EE).

    “Empathy is a multidimensional construct, entailing cognitive processes of perspective-taking, to make inferences about others’ mental states (cognitive empathy, CE), as well as emotional processes reflecting a direct affective reaction involving understanding, sharing, and responding appropriately to others’ feelings (emotional empathy, EE) (Shamay-Tsoory et al., 2009; Shamay-Tsoory, 2011; Bern”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Shamay-Tsoory et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Shamay-Tsoory, 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Bernhardt and Singer, 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The Chinese MET stimuli were evaluated in an independent sample and closely resembled the Caucasian stimuli.

    “The Chinese stimuli were initially evaluated in an independent sample (Supplementary Materials) and the final set of Chinese stimuli (30 positive, 30 negative valence) closely resembled the Caucasian stimuli depicting daily life scenarios and conveying emotional mental states via facial expression, body posture, and contextual cues.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The amygdala contributes to the emotional component of empathy.

    “the amygdala contributing to the emotional component of empathy (Cox et al., 2012; Leigh et al., 2013).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cox et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Leigh et al., 2013 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Premisecitation

    In a previous study in men using the multifaceted empathy test (MET), oxytocin specifically enhanced both direct emotional empathy (EED) and indirect emotional empathy (EEI), but not cognitive empathy (CE).

    “another study in men using the multifaceted empathy test (MET) (Dziobek et al., 2008), which assesses both CE and EE, observed that OXT specifically enhanced both EED and EEI, but not CE (Hurlemann et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hurlemann et al., 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Premisecitation

    Cognitive empathy (CE) is a prerequisite for emotional empathy (EE).

    “integrative approaches propose that the experience of empathy evolves as a dynamic interplay between them requiring an explicit representation of the specific affective state of the other person, thereby making CE a prerequisite for EE (Decety and Jackson, 2004; Hillis, 2014).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Decety and Jackson, 2004 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Hillis, 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Premisecitation

    Emotional empathy (EE) has a direct component (EED) and an indirect component (EEI).

    “EE has been further divided into a direct component (direct emotional empathy, EED), referring to explicit emotional evaluation and empathic concern, and an indirect component (indirect emotional empathy, EEI), referring to a more general physiological arousal response to both person and context (Dziobek et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dziobek et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    For direct and indirect emotional empathy measures, only trials with correct cognitive empathy recognition were analyzed.

    “Based on previous conceptualizations of empathy, proposing that CE is a prerequisite for EE (Decety and Jackson, 2004; Hillis, 2014), for EED and EEI measures only trials for which subjects successfully recognized the emotions displayed by the protagonist were analyzed [for a similar approach see Luo et al. (2015a)].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Decety and Jackson, 2004 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Hillis, 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Luo et al. (2015a)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The amygdala may mediate the emotional empathy enhancing effects of oxytocin.

    “This latter study additionally demonstrated selective EE deficits in amygdala lesion patients and therefore suggested that the amygdala may mediate the EE enhancing effects of OXT.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hurlemann et al., 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    A growing number of findings suggest sex-dependent effects of oxytocin on social cognition.

    “Based on a growing number of findings suggesting sex-dependent effects of OXT on social cognition (Chen et al., 2016; Gao et al., 2016; Luo et al., 2017), the second experiment additionally explored whether OXT differentially affects empathic processing in men and women.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Chen et al., 2016 source

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    • cites Gao et al., 2016 source

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    • cites Luo et al., 2017 source

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

    Study design and conductown data

    The proportion of females estimated to be in follicular or luteal phases did not differ significantly between treatment groups.

    “The proportion of females estimated to be in their follicular or luteal phases did not differ significantly between the treatment groups (chi-square = 0.12, df = 1, p = 0.73).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The experimental groups in both experiments were comparable in age, education, and, in Experiment 2, sex distribution.

    “The experimental groups in both experiments were of comparable age (Exp 1, p = 0.53, T58 = 0.63; Exp 2, p = 0.66, T70 = -0.44), education (Exp 1, p = 0.66, T58 = 0.44; Exp 2, p = 0.63, T70 = -0.49) and, in Exp 2, of equivalent sex distribution (chi-square < 0.001, df = 1, p = 1).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Study design and conductown data

    Both experiments used a double-blind, randomized between-subject design with participants randomly assigned to receive oxytocin or placebo nasal spray.

    “Both experiments incorporated a double-blind, between-participant design, with participants being randomly assigned to receive either OXT or PLC nasal-spray, resulting in n = 30 (Exp 1) and n = 36 (Exp 2, female = 17) participants treated with OXT.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Data from male and female participants were pooled for fMRI analyses to increase statistical power.

    “In view of the absence of sex-dependent effects in the behavioral analysis, and to increase the statistical power to determine OXT effects on the neural level, the data from male and female participants were pooled for the fMRI analyses.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The OXT-induced facilitation of EE but not CE in Chinese participants replicates previous findings in Caucasian participants.

    “thereby replicating previous findings in Caucasian participants (Hurlemann et al., 2010)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hurlemann et al., 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    In both cultures, OXT enhanced EE but not CE for both valences.

    “Thus, in both cultures, OXT enhanced EE but not CE (Hurlemann et al., 2010) for both valences”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hurlemann et al., 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • Rests on an assumption: The MET paradigm validly assesses emotional and cognitive empathy.
    • Rests on an assumption: The Chinese participants are representative of Chinese culture for the purpose of cross-cultural generalization.

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

    Study design and conductcitation

    The gPPI analysis used cluster-level FWE correction with an initial cluster-forming threshold of P < 0.001.

    “thresholded at P < 0.05, FWE-corrected at the cluster level. In line with recent recommendations for the control of false-positives in cluster-based correction approaches an initial cluster forming threshold of P < 0.001 was applied to data with a resolution of 3 × 3 × 3 mm (Eklund et al., 2016; Slotnick, 2017).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Eklund et al., 2016 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Slotnick, 2017 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Study design and conductown data

    In Experiment 1, one participant in the oxytocin group and in Experiment 2, three participants in the placebo group failed to understand task instructions and were excluded from all further analysis.

    “In Exp 1, one participant (in the OXT group) and in Exp 2, three participants (in the PLC group) failed to understand task instructions and were consequently excluded from all further analysis, leading to a total of n = 59 participants in Exp 1 and n = 69 participants in Exp 2.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    OXT specifically increased EE in both experiments, suggesting that its effects generalize across 24 and 40 IU doses.

    “OXT specifically increased EE in both suggesting that its effects generalize across 24 and 40 IU doses, in line with our previous finding (Zhao et al., 2017).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zhao et al., 2017 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Study design and conductnone given

    P-values for post hoc tests of the region-of-interest analysis were Bonferroni-corrected.

    “P-values for the post hoc tests of the ROI analysis were Bonferroni-corrected (P < 0.05).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductown data

    Four participants were excluded from the fMRI analysis due to excessive head motion.

    “Four further participants were excluded from the fMRI analysis due to excessive head motion (head motion > 3 mm).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductnone given

    The exploratory whole-brain analysis was thresholded at P < 0.05, corrected using the family-wise error (FWE) approach.

    “An exploratory voxel-wise whole-brain analysis in SPM that served to determine contributions of brain regions outside of the predefined network of interest was thresholded at P < 0.05, corrected using the family-wise error (FWE) approach.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductown data

    One participant was excluded from skin conductance response analysis due to low skin impedance.

    “One participant was excluded from SCR analysis due to low skin impedance and thus a total of 68 participants from Exp 2 were included.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    No endogenous levels of OXT were assessed in the present study.

    “no endogenous levels of OXT were assessed in the present study.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    OXT can facilitate CE in some contexts, particularly with cues restricted to eyes, but not in others where multiple cues are present.

    “Thus, OXT can facilitate CE in some contexts, particularly with cues restricted to eyes, but not in others where multiple cues are present.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Domes et al., 2007b

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Feeser et al., 2015 source

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    • cites Radke and de Bruijn, 2015 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • Rests on an assumption: The MET paradigm validly assesses emotional and cognitive empathy.
39 of 39

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Previous studies on the empathy enhancing potential of intranasal oxytocin are entirely based on observations in Caucasian populations.

    “Previous studies on the empathy enhancing potential of intranasal OXT are entirely based on observations in Caucasian populations.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The MET paradigm validly assesses emotional and cognitive empathy.

    “as assessed by the MET paradigm”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The ASQ total score validly measures trait autism.

    “as measured by the ASQ”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Chinese participants are representative of Chinese culture for the purpose of cross-cultural generalization.

    “in Chinese participants”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Intranasal OXT administration affects central neural processes.

    “intranasal OXT specifically facilitates EE”
5 of 5

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?

Statistics that don’t add up

Each reported p-value recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom.

  • Inconsistent p-value: F(1,67) = 4.18, p = .05

    Minor

    The paper reports p = .05 here; recomputing from the test statistic and its degrees of freedom gives p = .045. The check cannot tell whether the statistic or the p-value is the misprint.

    Reported p = .05 · recomputed p = .045

1 of 1

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.

  • Doesn’t add upF(1, 67) = 4.18reported p = .05 · recomputed p = .045

    “F(1,67) = 4.18, p = .05”

  • ConsistentF(1, 57) = 6.46reported p = .01 · recomputed p = .014

    “F(1,57) = 6.46, p = .01”

  • ConsistentF(1, 57) = 0.96reported p = .33 · recomputed p = .331

    “F(1,57) = 0.96, p = .33”

  • ConsistentF(1, 57) = 2.19reported p = .14 · recomputed p = .144

    “F(1,57) = 2.19, p = .14”

  • ConsistentF(1, 57) = 3.16reported p = .08 · recomputed p = .081

    “F(1,57) = 3.16, p = .08”

  • ConsistentF(1, 67) = 5.81reported p = .02 · recomputed p = .019

    “F(1,67) = 5.81, p = .02”

  • ConsistentF(1, 67) = 1.68reported p = .2 · recomputed p = .199

    “F(1,67) = 1.68, p = .2”

  • ConsistentF(1, 67) = 9.96reported p = .002 · recomputed p = .002

    “F(1, 67) = 9.96, p = .002”

  • ConsistentF(1, 67) = 4.84reported p = .03 · recomputed p = .031

    “F(1,67) = 4.84, p = .03”

  • ConsistentF(1, 67) = 2.02reported p = .16 · recomputed p = .160

    “F(1,67) = 2.02, p = .16”

  • ConsistentF(1, 65) = 0.8reported p = .37 · recomputed p = .374

    “F(1,65) = 0.80, p = .37”

  • Consistentz = -2.13reported p = .03 · recomputed p = .033

    “z = -2.13, p = .03”

  • Consistentz = -1.43reported p = .15 · recomputed p = .153

    “z = -1.43, p = .15”

  • Consistentz = 1.53reported p = .13 · recomputed p = .126

    “z = 1.53, p = .13”

  • Consistentz = 1.29reported p = .2 · recomputed p = .197

    “z = 1.29, p = .20”

  • ConsistentF(1, 66) = 3.77reported p = .06 · recomputed p = .056

    “F(1,66) = 3.77, p = .06”

  • ConsistentF(1, 66) = 4.5reported p = .04 · recomputed p = .038

    “F(1,66) = 4.50, p = .04”

  • ConsistentF(1, 66) = 2.14reported p = .15 · recomputed p = .148

    “F(1,66) = 2.14, p = .15”

  • ConsistentF(1, 63) = 6.55reported p = .01 · recomputed p = .013

    “F(1,63) = 6.55, p = .01”

  • ConsistentF(1, 63) = 5.18reported p = .03 · recomputed p = .026

    “F(1,63) = 5.18, p = .03”

  • ConsistentF(1, 61) = 10.52reported p = .002 · recomputed p = .002

    “F(1,61) = 10.52, p = .002”

  • ConsistentF(1, 61) = 3.86reported p = .05 · recomputed p = .054

    “F(1,61) = 3.86, p = .05”

  • ConsistentF(1, 61) = 3.34reported p = .07 · recomputed p = .073

    “F(1,61) = 3.34, p = .07”

  • ConsistentF(1, 61) = 5.53reported p = .02 · recomputed p = .022

    “F(1,61) = 5.53, p = .02”

  • ConsistentF(1, 61) = 4.34reported p = .04 · recomputed p = .041

    “F(1,61) = 4.34, p = .04”

  • ConsistentF(1, 61) = 5.67reported p = .02 · recomputed p = .020

    “F(1,61) = 5.67, p = .02”

  • ConsistentF(1, 61) = 8reported p = .006 · recomputed p = .006

    “F(1,61) = 8.00, p = .006”

  • ConsistentF(1, 61) = 5.48reported p = .02 · recomputed p = .023

    “F(1,61) = 5.48, p = .02”

  • Consistentz = 2.05reported p = .04 · recomputed p = .040

    “Z = 2.05, p = .04”

  • Consistentz = 1.43reported p = .15 · recomputed p = .153

    “Z = 1.43, p = .15”

  • Consistentz = 2.5reported p = .01 · recomputed p = .012

    “Z = 2.50, p = .01”

  • Consistentz = 0.85reported p = .39 · recomputed p = .395

    “Z = 0.85, p = .39”

32 of 32

Self-check

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

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Figure 8 panel descriptions are reversed

    Minor

    The results text assigns the left-insula correlation to Figure 8A and the left-PCC correlation to Figure 8B. The figure caption assigns those correlations to the opposite panels.

  • SCR analysis degrees of freedom do not match the stated model

    Minor

    The SCR analysis includes 68 participants and two between-subject factors, treatment and sex, giving four groups and a residual degree of freedom of 64. The reported F(1,66) values instead correspond to a two-group analysis without sex as a factor.

  • Claim of significant positive-valence insula coupling conflicts with right-insula test

    Minor

    The discussion says the right-amygdala-insula connectivity increase during positive-valence stimuli was significant, without limiting that claim to the left insula. The reported positive-valence right-insula comparison has P = 0.07, which is not significant at the stated 0.05 threshold.

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Brett, 2002, Region of interest analysis using the MarsBar toolbox for SPM 99., Neuroimage, 16
  2. Jessica, 2016, Gene-culture interaction influence of culture and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism on loneliness., Cult. Brain, 4, 21, 10.1007/s40167 · DOI

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Geng, Y., Zhao, W., Zhou, F., Ma, X., Yao, S., Hurlemann, R., Becker, B., & Kendrick, K. M.
Affiliations
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Becker, Benjamin
  • Kendrick, Keith M.
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2018-07-31
Volume
12
Pages
512-512
ISSN
1662-453X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fnins.2018.00512
PMC
PMC6079225
OpenAlex
W2951682970
Cited by
78
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 4
FWCI
14.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China (31530032)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Keywords
oxytocin, affective empathy, amygdala, sex differences, cross-cultural generalization, Chinese men, insula, posterior cingulate cortex, functional connectivity, skin conductance, valence, neuropeptides

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 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

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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