A1 Journal article (refereed)
Intranasal oxytocin decreases fear generalization in males, but does not modulate discrimination threshold (2021)


Dou, H., Zou, L., Becker, B., & Lei, Y. (2021). Intranasal oxytocin decreases fear generalization in males, but does not modulate discrimination threshold. Psychopharmacology, 238(3), 677-689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-020-05720-8


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Dou, Haoran; Zou, Liye; Becker, Benjamin; Lei, Yi

Journal or series: Psychopharmacology

ISSN: 0033-3158

eISSN: 1432-2072

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 238

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 677-689

Publisher: Springer

Publication country: Germany

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-020-05720-8

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80490


Abstract

Background: A previously acquired fear response often spreads to perceptually or conceptually close stimuli or contexts. This process, known as fear generalization, facilitates the avoidance of danger, and dysregulations in this process play an important role in anxiety disorders. Oxytocin (OT) has been shown to modulate fear learning, yet effects on fear generalization remain unknown.

Methods: We employed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, between-subject design during which healthy male participants received either intranasal OT or placebo (PLC) following fear acquisition and before fear generalization with concomitant acquisition of skin conductance responses (SCRs). Twenty-four to 72 h before the fear learning and immediately after the fear generalization task, participants additionally complete a discrimination threshold task.

Results: Relative to PLC, OT significantly reduced perceived risk and SCRs towards the CS+ and GS1 (the generalization stimulus that is most similar to CS+) during fear generalization, whereas the discrimination threshold was not affected.

Conclusions: Together, the results suggest that OT can attenuate fear generalization in the absence of effects on discrimination threshold. This study provides the first evidence for effects of OT on fear generalization in humans and suggests that OT may have therapeutic potential in anxiety disorders characterized by dysregulated fear generalization.


Keywords: fear (emotions); conditioning (passive); anxiety disorders; oxytocin

Free keywords: discrimination threshold; fear generalization; oxytocin; skin conductance responses (SCRs).


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1


Last updated on 2024-22-04 at 18:09