Laura Nawijn

Oxytocin and social support in trauma related psychopathology

Our research aims to study the role of oxytocin after trauma and in PTSD. In different experiments we examine the effects of exogenous (intranasal oxytocin) and endogenous (providing social support) oxytocin stimulation on social and emotional task-related BOLD responses and functional connectivity, stress reactivity and trauma-related psychopathology. To this end, we will employ fMRI and assess genetic, cardiovascular, behavioural and stress measures in recently traumatized men and women and patients with PTSD.