title: The role of oxytocin in modulating interpersonal space: A pharmacological fMRI study.
abstract: Interpersonal space is a nonverbal indicator of affiliation and closeness. In this study we investigated the effects of oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide known for its social role in humans, on interpersonal space. In a double blind placebo controlled study we measured the effect of intranasal OT on the personal distance preferences of different familiar (friend) and unfamiliar (stranger) protagonists. Behavioral results showed that participants preferred to be closer to a friend than to a stranger. Intranasal OT was associated with an overall distancing effect, but this effect was significant for the stranger and not for the friend. The imaging results showed interactions between treatment (OT, placebo) and protagonist (friend, stranger) in regions that mediate social behavior including the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), a region associated with the mentalizing system. Specifically, OT increased activity in the dmPFC when a friend approached the participants but not when a stranger approached. The results indicate that the effect of OT on interpersonal space greatly depends on the participant's relationship with the protagonist. This supports the social salience theory, according to which OT increases the salience of social cues depending on the context.
authors.affiliation: University of Haifa, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: University of Haifa, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Science, Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel; Functional Brain Center, Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Gadi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gilam
authors.affiliation: University of Haifa, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Naama
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mayseless
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Science, Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel; Functional Brain Center, Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Tal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gonen
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Science, Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel; Functional Brain Center, Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Talma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hendler
authors.affiliation: University of Haifa, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel. Electronic address: sshamay@psy.haifa.ac.il.
authors.forename: Simone G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Shamay-Tsoory
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D010550:Personal Space; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: Dorsomedial prefrontal cortex; Interpersonal space; Mentalizing; Oxytocin