Results showed no significant effects on core symptomatology .
In conclusion , up to date , evidence regarding the potential utility of IN-OT in treating anxiety and depression is still inconclusive .
Several studies have demonstrated the neuromodulating function of oxytocin ( OT ) in response to anxiogenic stimuli as well as its potential role in the pathogenesis of depression .
Consequently , intranasal OT ( IN-OT ) has been proposed as a potential treatment of  anxiety and depressive disorders .
The present systematic review aim ed to summarize the r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) evaluating the effect of IN-OT on anxiety and depressive symptoms .
Oxytocin Modulation of Amygdala Functional Connectivity to Fearful Faces in Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder
The neuropeptide oxytocin ( OXT ) is thought to attenuate anxiety by dampening amygdala reactivity to threat in individuals with generalized social anxiety disorder ( GSAD ) . Because the brain is organized into networks of interconnected areas , it is likely that OXT impacts functional coupling between the amygdala and other socio-emotional areas of the brain . Therefore , the aim of the current study was to examine the effects of OXT on amygdala functional connectivity during the processing of fearful faces in GSAD subjects and healthy controls ( HCs ) . In a r and omized , double-blind , placebo (PBO)-controlled , within-subjects design , 18 HCs and 17 GSAD subjects performed a functional magnetic resonance imaging task design ed to probe amygdala response to fearful faces following acute intranasal administration of PBO or OXT . Functional connectivity between the amygdala and the rest of the brain was compared between OXT and PBO sessions using generalized psychophysiological interaction analyses . Results indicated that within individuals with GSAD , but not HCs , OXT enhanced functional connectivity between the amygdala and the bilateral insula and middle cingulate/dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus during the processing of fearful faces . These findings suggest that OXT may have broad pro-social implication s such as enhancing the integration and modulation of social responses
Results showed no significant effects on core symptomatology .
In conclusion , up to date , evidence regarding the potential utility of IN-OT in treating anxiety and depression is still inconclusive .
Several studies have demonstrated the neuromodulating function of oxytocin ( OT ) in response to anxiogenic stimuli as well as its potential role in the pathogenesis of depression .
Consequently , intranasal OT ( IN-OT ) has been proposed as a potential treatment of  anxiety and depressive disorders .
The present systematic review aim ed to summarize the r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) evaluating the effect of IN-OT on anxiety and depressive symptoms .