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Study · Systematic review · 2023

2 results

The effect of intranasal oxytocin on social reward processing in humans: a systematic review.

Kraus J, Výborová E, Silani G

Frontiers in psychiatry14 Sept 2023Cited by 9 (Europe PMC)

PMID37779612 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC10536251 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1244027 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-37779612
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Summary

Understanding the neurobiology of social reward processing is fundamental, holding promises for reducing maladaptive/dysfunctional social behaviors and boosting the benefits associated with a healthy social life. Current research shows that processing of social (vs. non-social) rewards may be driven by oxytocinergic signaling. However, studies in humans often led to mixed results. This review aimed to systematically summarize available experimental results that assessed the modulation of social reward processing by intranasal oxytocin (IN-OXY) administration in humans. The literature search yielded 385 results, of which 19 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The effects of IN-OXY on subjective, behavioral, and (neuro)physiological output variables are discussed in relation to moderating variables-reward phase, reward type, onset and dosage, participants' sex/gender, and clinical condition. Results indicate that IN-OXY is mostly effective during the consumption ("liking") of social rewards. These effects are likely exerted by modulating the activity of the prefrontal cortex, insula, precuneus, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and striatum. Finally, we provide suggestions for designing future oxytocin studies.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021278945, identifier CRD42021278945.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a systematic review of human studies, intranasal oxytocin was mostly effective during the consumption (liking) phase of social rewards.

    In plain wordsIn people, nasal oxytocin mostly affected how much social rewards were enjoyed, according to a review of 19 studies.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedSocial reward processing, consumption (liking) phase
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Results indicate that IN-OXY is mostly effective during the consumption ("liking") of social rewards.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    The literature search yielded 385 results, of which 19 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis.
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewMechanism

    In a systematic review of human studies, the effects of intranasal oxytocin on social reward were likely exerted by modulating activity in prefrontal cortex, insula, precuneus, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala and striatum.

    In plain wordsIn people, nasal oxytocin effects on social reward were likely linked to activity changes in several brain regions, according to a review.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedBrain regions modulated in social reward processing
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    These effects are likely exerted by modulating the activity of the prefrontal cortex, insula, precuneus, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and striatum.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    The literature search yielded 385 results, of which 19 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis.

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, 00:50 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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