Maternal care is associated with neural and behavioral effects of oxytocin administration during empathic accuracy in schizophrenia and controls.

ABSTRACT: Empathic accuracy, the ability to accurately understand other people's emotions, is a complex social cognitive skill that is often impaired in schizophrenia and this impairment is associated with poor functional outcomes. Intranasally administered oxytocin, a neuropeptide implicated in social behavior, is thought to improve empathic accuracy for individuals with schizophrenia. However, early experiences related to caregiving may shape the oxytocinergic system and influence individual responses to oxytocin administration. Using a cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled design coupled with fMRI, the current study investigated whether administration of oxytocin improves empathic accuracy in schizophrenia compared to a matched placebo, and the moderating role of early maternal care. Resul

SUBMITTER: Brown CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11833772 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature