ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2023, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (1): 10-19.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2023.00010

• Conceptual Framework • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The functional mechanism of oxytocin in anxiety detection and extinction among anxiety-susceptible groups

MA Yuanxiao1, CHEN Xu2()   

  1. 1School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
    2Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
  • Received:2022-03-23 Online:2023-01-15 Published:2022-10-13
  • Contact: CHEN Xu E-mail:chenxu@swu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Anxiety detection and extinction of anxiety-susceptible groups have long been a hot topic of anxiety research. However, the current studies on anxiety detection and extinction lack objective and direct techniques, and are also unclear in terms of the it's functional mechanism. To generate new insight, using a multi-methods approach involving questionnaire, behavior, hormone, and fMRI, the present project aims to explore the mechanism of oxytocin in the detection and extinction of anxiety in individuals with high attachment anxiety. To this end, anxiety detection and extinction are creatively integrated into the framework of oxytocin research with the hope of conducting this project from three aspects. This project aims to provide a new approach to anxiety detection and extinction from the perspective of physiological measurement and pharmacological intervention. Specifically, the details of the research program are as below:

Firstly, is there a direct relationship between endogenous oxytocin and anxiety response? To answer this question, Study 1 intends to investigate whether endogenous oxytocin can accurately identify anxiety responses induced by dynamic angry faces, and to clarify the validity of endogenous oxytocin in anxiety detection. We predicted that dynamic angry facial expressions will evoke lower endogenous oxytocin levels than those in static angry and neutral facial expressions during the task period.

Secondly, how does oxytocin act on anxiety detection and extinction in individuals with high attachment anxiety? And what is the corresponding brain mechanism? For this purpose, Study 2 design two experiments to explore the neural mechanism of oxytocin in anxiety detection and extinction in individuals with high attachment anxiety from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Experiment 1 mainly focuses on the role of endogenous oxytocin on anxiety detection in individuals with high attachment anxiety, hypothesizing that individuals with high attachment anxiety would exhibit greater amygdala activity and lower endogenous oxytocin levels during the viewing of dynamic angry facial expressions. Experiment 2 mainly focused on the anxiolytic effect of exogenous oxytocin, hypothesizing that intranasal oxytocin will significantly attenuate the amygdala activity during the viewing of dynamic angry facial expressions.

Thirdly, whether the effect of oxytocin on anxiety detection in individuals with high attachment anxiety from an intervention perspective could be verified? To further validate the relationship between oxytocin and anxiety response, Study 3 aims to conduct an attachment security intervention for individuals with high attachment anxiety by adopting attachment security priming. During this intervention, the change of endogenous oxytocin and amygdala activation in anxiety response of individuals with high attachment anxiety under intervention training is investigated. Attachment security priming was predicted to significantly attenuate amygdala activity and increase endogenous oxytocin levels during the viewing of dynamic angry facial expressions in individuals with high attachment anxiety.

The above three studies were designed to construct a closed-loop of endogenous—exogenous—endogenous to systematically investigate the mechanism of oxytocin in anxiety detection and extinction in individuals with high attachment anxiety. The findings of the project attempt to provide a possible explanation for the mechanism of anxiolytic effects of oxytocin, which is of great scientific implications for understanding the neurohormonal mechanism in the anxiety response. Moreover, the project provides a new approach to anxiety assessment and intervention for high attachment anxiety groups, which is of great value in maintaining and improving the mental health of individuals.

Key words: emotion, oxytocin, anxiety detection, anxiety extinction, attachment anxiety

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