Intranasal administration of oxytocin modulates behavioral and amygdala responses to infant crying in females with insecure attachment representations
Riem,M.M.E. Bakermans-Kranenburg,Marian J. van IJzendoorn,Marinus H.
Riem,M.M.E.
Bakermans-Kranenburg,Marian J.
van IJzendoorn,Marinus H.
Abstract
The current study examined the effects of oxytocin administration on the response to infant crying in individuals with secure or insecure attachment representations as assessed with the Adult Attachment Interview. We measured feelings of irritation and the use of excessive force as indicated by grip strength using a handgrip dynamometer during exposure to infant crying in 42 women without children who were administered intranasal oxytocin or a placebo. In addition, amygdala responses to infant crying and control sounds were measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The effects of oxytocin on reactivity to crying were moderated by attachment security. Oxytocin decreased the use of excessive handgrip force and amygdala reactivity in response to crying in individuals with insecure attachment representations. Our findings indicate that insecure individuals, who show emotional, behavioral, and neural hyperreactivity to crying, benefit the most from intranasal oxytocin. KEYWORDS: Oxytocin, adult attachment, AAI, infant crying, amygdala, fMRI
Description
Date
2016
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Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Keywords
amygdala, adult attachment, infant crying, fMRI, Oxytocin, AAI
Citation
Riem, M M E, Bakermans-Kranenburg, M J & van IJzendoorn, M H 2016, 'Intranasal administration of oxytocin modulates behavioral and amygdala responses to infant crying in females with insecure attachment representations', Attachment & Human Development, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 213-234. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2016.1149872
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info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess