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Study · Randomized controlled trial · n = 44 · 2018

4 results

Does trait anxiety influence effects of oxytocin on eye-blink startle reactivity? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.

Schumacher S, Oe M, Wilhelm FH, Rufer M, Heinrichs M, Weidt S, Moergeli H, Martin-Soelch C

PloS one4 Jan 2018Cited by 7 (Europe PMC)

PMID29300752 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC5754118 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0190809 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-29300752
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Summary

BackgroundPrevious research has demonstrated that the neuropeptide oxytocin modulates social behaviors and reduces anxiety. However, effects of oxytocin on startle reactivity, a well-validated measure of defense system activation related to fear and anxiety, have been inconsistent. Here we investigated the influence of oxytocin on startle reactivity with particular focus on the role of trait anxiety.MethodsForty-four healthy male participants attended two experimental sessions. They received intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) in one session and placebo in the other. Startle probes were presented in combination with pictures of social and non-social content. Eye-blink startle magnitude was measured by electromyography over the musculus orbicularis oculi in response to 95 dB noise bursts. Participants were assigned to groups of high vs. low trait anxiety based on their scores on the trait form of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).ResultsA significant interaction effect of oxytocin with STAI confirmed that trait anxiety moderated the effect of oxytocin on startle reactivity. Post-hoc tests indicated that for participants with elevated trait anxiety, oxytocin increased startle magnitude, particularly when watching non-social pictures, while this was not the case for participants with low trait anxiety.ConclusionResults indicate that effects of oxytocin on defense system activation depend on individual differences in trait anxiety. Trait anxiety may be an important moderator variable that should be considered in human studies on oxytocin effects.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In healthy men, trait anxiety moderated the effect of oxytocin on eye-blink startle reactivity (significant interaction with STAI score).

    In plain wordsIn healthy men, how much oxytocin changed startle reactions depended on their level of trait anxiety.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    MixedOxytocin by trait anxiety interaction on startle reactivity
    Study

    n = 44

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    A significant interaction effect of oxytocin with STAI confirmed that trait anxiety moderated the effect of oxytocin on startle reactivity.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Forty-four healthy male participants attended two experimental sessions.
    Summary · context
    They received intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) in one session and placebo in the other.
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In healthy men with elevated trait anxiety, oxytocin increased startle magnitude versus placebo.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men with high trait anxiety, oxytocin increased startle reactions compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreaseStartle magnitude in participants with elevated trait anxiety
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    for participants with elevated trait anxiety, oxytocin increased startle magnitude
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Forty-four healthy male participants attended two experimental sessions.
    Summary · context
    They received intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) in one session and placebo in the other.
  3. 03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In healthy men with elevated trait anxiety, oxytocin increased startle magnitude particularly when watching non-social pictures.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men with high trait anxiety, the startle increase with oxytocin was strongest when viewing non-social pictures.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreaseStartle magnitude with non-social pictures in participants with elevated trait anxiety
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    oxytocin increased startle magnitude, particularly when watching non-social pictures
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Forty-four healthy male participants attended two experimental sessions.
    Summary · context
    They received intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) in one session and placebo in the other.
  4. 04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In healthy men with low trait anxiety, oxytocin did not increase startle magnitude.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men with low trait anxiety, oxytocin did not change startle reactions.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeStartle magnitude in participants with low trait anxiety
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
    Studied dose
    24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    while this was not the case for participants with low trait anxiety.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Forty-four healthy male participants attended two experimental sessions.
    Summary · context
    They received intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) in one session and placebo in the other.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:48 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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