Dissecting the Role of Estradiol in Mediating Gender-specific Anxiolytic and Prosocial Effects of Oxytocin

Intranasal administration of 24 International Units, Oxytocin will be given 30 minutes before the fear extinction task (Study 1) or fMRI measurement (Study 2).

The placebo spray contains the identical ingredients, except for the peptide itself. It will be given 30 minutes before the fear extinction task (Study 1) or fMRI measurement (Study 2).

Participants received a single dose of estradiol gel (Estramon 2 mg estradiol, Hexal AG, Holzkirchen, Germany), applied to their shoulder, 3 hours prior to the fear extinction task (Study 1) or fMRI measurement (Study 2).

Participants received a single dose of the placebo gel (ultrasonic gel, 2 mg), applied to their shoulder, 3 hours prior to the fear extinction task (Study 1) or fMRI measurement (Study 2).