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Study · Randomized controlled trial · n = 30 · 2024

3 results

L-DOPA and oxytocin influence the neural correlates of performance monitoring for self and others.

Jansen M, Overgaauw S, de Bruijn ERA

Psychopharmacology29 Jan 2024

PMID38286857 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC11031497 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1007/s00213-024-06541-9 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-38286857
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Summary

RationaleThe ability to monitor the consequences of our actions for others is imperative for flexible and adaptive behavior, and allows us to act in a (pro)social manner. Yet, little is known about the neurochemical mechanisms underlying alterations in (pro)social performance monitoring.ObjectiveThe aim of this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to improve our understanding of the role of dopamine and oxytocin and their potential overlap in the neural mechanisms underlying performance monitoring for own versus others' outcomes.MethodUsing a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design, 30 healthy male volunteers were administered oxytocin (24 international units), the dopamine precursor L-DOPA (100 mg + 25 mg carbidopa), or placebo in three sessions. Participants performed a computerized cannon shooting game in two recipient conditions where mistakes resulted in negative monetary consequences for (1) oneself or (2) an anonymous other participant.ResultsResults indicated reduced error-correct differentiation in the ventral striatum after L-DOPA compared to placebo, independent of recipient. Hence, pharmacological manipulation of dopamine via L-DOPA modulated performance-monitoring activity in a brain region associated with reward prediction and processing in a domain-general manner. In contrast, oxytocin modulated the BOLD response in a recipient-specific manner, such that it specifically enhanced activity for errors that affected the other in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC), a region previously implicated in the processing of social rewards and prediction errors. Behaviorally, we also found reduced target sizes-indicative of better performance-after oxytocin, regardless of recipient. Moreover, after oxytocin lower target sizes specifically predicted higher pgACC activity when performing for others.ConclusionsThese different behavioral and neural patterns after oxytocin compared to L-DOPA administration highlight a divergent role of each neurochemical in modulating the neural mechanisms underlying social performance monitoring.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialMechanism

    In healthy men, oxytocin enhanced pregenual anterior cingulate cortex activity for errors that affected another person, but not for own errors.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin increased activity in a social-reward brain region when mistakes affected someone else.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    IncreasepgACC BOLD response to errors affecting another person
    Study

    n = 30

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Brain and neuronal activity · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    24 international unitsAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In contrast, oxytocin modulated the BOLD response in a recipient-specific manner, such that it specifically enhanced activity for errors that affected the other in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC), a region previously implicated in the processing of social rewards and prediction errors.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Using a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design, 30 healthy male volunteers were administered oxytocin (24 international units), the dopamine precursor L-DOPA (100 mg + 25 mg carbidopa), or placebo in three sessions.
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In healthy men, oxytocin reduced target sizes, which indicates better performance, regardless of recipient.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin led to smaller target sizes, a sign of better task performance, whoever the task was for.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    DecreaseTarget size in cannon shooting task
    Study

    n = 30

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    24 international unitsAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Behaviorally, we also found reduced target sizes-indicative of better performance-after oxytocin, regardless of recipient.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Using a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design, 30 healthy male volunteers were administered oxytocin (24 international units), the dopamine precursor L-DOPA (100 mg + 25 mg carbidopa), or placebo in three sessions.
  3. 03HumanRandomized controlled trialMechanism

    In healthy men after oxytocin, lower target sizes specifically predicted higher pgACC activity when performing for others.

    In plain wordsIn healthy men after oxytocin, better task performance went with higher activity in a social-reward brain region when playing for others.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    Not applicableAssociation of target size with pgACC activity after oxytocin
    Study

    n = 30

    Outcome group
    Brain and neuronal activity · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    24 international unitsAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Moreover, after oxytocin lower target sizes specifically predicted higher pgACC activity when performing for others.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Using a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design, 30 healthy male volunteers were administered oxytocin (24 international units), the dopamine precursor L-DOPA (100 mg + 25 mg carbidopa), or placebo in three sessions.

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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