Effect of oxytocin administration on the induction of rubber hand illusion: cerebral hemodynamic analysis by fNIRS

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated the modulatory effect of oxytocin inhalation (OT) on social cognition related to empathy. Understand it better this relationship, studies have used experimental strategies of "self-overlapping" body overlap as the paradigm of rubber hand illusion (RHI) and they have investigated the association OT levels, because despite the influence on social cognition, effects Can also have contextual influences. In this context, in order to understand the neurophysiological mechanisms of OT effects, the present study sought to investigate the modulation of empathy levels through the inhalation of OT in the three classic effects of RHI - time of onset of the illusion sensation, Proprioceptive displacement, and sense of corporeal property, and to evaluate the effect on oxy-and deoxyhemoglobin levels in the pre-motor cortex and intraparietal cortex by means of Functional Spectrography in the Near Infrared (fNIRS). The hypothesis of this experiment is that higher OT levels, through inhalation, increase the sensory-motor resonance in the RHI and the intensity of the hemodynamic activity in the cortical areas of CPMv and CIP. It will include 30 young adult participants, men with typical development, right-hand men who will undergo OT inhalation (active and placebo) and the experimental experience of RHI in the two conditions of visuo-tactile stimulation: synchronous and asynchronous for 120s. It will be evolved the time of begging of property sensation on the body of the RHI, the proprioceptive displacement before and after the IMB, the evaluation of the sensation of the RHI they will be estimated by a questionnaire and the empathy will be measured by the index of interpersonal reactivity (IRI) will be evaluated. The intensity of hemodynamic activity in the cortical areas of CPMv and CIP will be measured by fNIRS. (AU)