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The Role of Intranasal Oxytocin on Social Cognition: an Integrative Human Lifespan Approach

  • Social Cognition (J Beadle, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This narrative review synthesizes research from the last two decades on the modulatory role of intranasal OT administration (IN-OT) on social cognition in early life, young/middle adulthood, and older adulthood. Advances and knowledge gaps are identified, and future research directions are discussed within an integrative human lifespan framework to guide novel research on IN-OT and social cognition.

Recent Findings

Current evidence regarding IN-OT modulation of social-cognitive processes, behavior, and related neurocircuitry is mixed with some studies suggesting benefits (e.g., improved social perception/interactions, emotion processing) depending on contextual (e.g., social stimuli) and interindividual factors (e.g., age, sex, clinical status). Current research, however, is limited by a focus on isolated life phases, males, and select clinical populations as well as a lack of standardized protocols.

Summary

This literature-based reflection proposes that greater generalizability of findings and scientific advancement on social-cognitive modulation via IN-OT requires standardized, multi-method, longitudinal, and cross-sequential assessments in well-powered, well-controlled, and representative samples in line with an integrative lifespan approach, which considers development as a lifelong dynamic process involving both change and stability characterized by the interplay between genetic, neurobiological, and socio-behavioral factors.

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Notes

  1. For a review on OT and social cognition in PWS, see [40•].

  2. For reviews on OT and social cognition in ASD, see [48, 49].

  3. For similar findings regarding emotion recognition in clinical populations, see [23•].

  4. For a review on IN-OT in SCZ, see [81•].

  5. For reviews on the effects of aging on the OT system, see [1••, 7, 8, 85].

  6. See [109] for a discussion on moderating factors of OT’s social-cognitive effects.

  7. See [120] for a recent review that discusses the challenges surrounding current methods for OT measurement.

  8. These methodological considerations in the context of repeated IN-OT administration have been extensively discussed in [9•, 12].

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging Pre-Doctoral Fellowship on Physical, Cognitive, and Mental Health in Social Context (T32AG020499) to M.H.; the University of Florida Substance Abuse Training Center in Public Health (NIH/NIDA, T32DA035167) to M.H.; a University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science pilot award (NIH/NCATS, UL1 TR000064) to N.C.E.; a University of Florida Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center pilot award (NIH/NIA, P30AG028740) to N.C.E.; a National Institute on Aging grant (R01AG059809) to N.C.E., the Department of Psychology, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Institute on Aging, the Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, and the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida. The authors would like to thank Kevin Chi for his help with formatting.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Marilyn Horta, Didem Pehlivanoglu & Natalie C. Ebner

  2. Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Marilyn Horta

  3. Institute on Aging, Department of Aging & Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Natalie C. Ebner

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Horta, M., Pehlivanoglu, D. & Ebner, N.C. The Role of Intranasal Oxytocin on Social Cognition: an Integrative Human Lifespan Approach. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 7, 175–192 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-020-00214-5

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