Fig. 4: Effects of oxytocin and addiction on the functional connectivity between the anterior superior temporal gyrus and right middle frontal gyrus.

Changes in functional connectivity between the anterior rSTG and right middle frontal gyrus (rMFG) in stress runs 1 and 2 (A). In o 2, changes in the coupling of the anterior rSTG and rMFG were positively associated with changes in subjective stress in healthy participants after the administration of PLC (B). After OXT administration, changes in functional connectivity between the anterior rSTG and rMFG showed differently directed associations with changes in subjective stress ratings in HCs and smokers (C). Between-run changes in anterior rSTG–rMFG coupling were positively associated with daily cigarette consumption in smokers after PLC administration (D). After the administration of PLC, between-run changes in functional connectivity between the anterior rSTG and rMFG showed the same directed but nearly different associations with changes in subjective stress ratings in the HC and SMO groups (E) but showed differently directed associations with changes in subjective stress ratings in HCs and smokers after the administration of OXT (F). HC: healthy participants group (n = 27); SMO: smokers group (n = 26); PLC: placebo; OXT: oxytocin; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01.