Announcement of the Oxytocin Brain Imaging Data Exchange (OBIDE) Initiative

2226 

Abstract Submission 

Kaat Alaerts¹, Natalie Ebner², Marilyn Horta², Weihua Zhao³, Keith Kendrick³

¹KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, ²University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, ³University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Chengdu

Kaat Alaerts  
KU Leuven, University of Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant

Natalie Ebner  
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Marilyn Horta  
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Weihua Zhao  
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Chengdu, Chengdu

Keith Kendrick  
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Chengdu, Chengdu

Initial studies have started to unravel the neural mechanisms that underlie the clinical-behavioral effects of exogenous oxytocin administration in human (patient) populations. Effects of intranasal oxytocin have been identified on brain connectivity among different regions of the central oxytocinergic system e.g., amygdala-centered circuits, reward circuits, salience network. However, variability across studies in design and person-dependent characteristics have made it challenging to precisely characterize oxytocin's neural mechanisms. To facilitate the implementation of oxytocin as a therapeutic approach, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the neural substrates that underlie its behavioral effects.
There is a growing emphasis on promoting the sharing of open data to gather large-scale datasets, which are valuable to address sample variability, enhance transparency and facilitate the validation of research findings. In an effort to implement the concept of open data sharing in the oxytocin pharmaco-neuroimaging field, we here introduce the Oxytocin Brain Imaging Data Exchange (OBIDE) Initiative, a grassroots consortium for the harmonization and open sharing of oxytocin pharmaco-neuroimaging data. The specific aim of OBIDE lies in enhancing and accelerating the pace of exploration and identification of the neural correlates of oxytocin through aggregating pharmaco-neuroimaging data in an unprecedentedly large repository size.

OBIDE will encompass existing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data sets with corresponding structural MRI and phenotypic information from human participants receiving a single-dose of oxytocin or placebo nasal spray. Here, initial sample descriptors regarding aggregated phenotypic data are presented across contributing sites. Also design-related information regarding administration regimen (dose) and adopted resting-state protocols are provided (scan duration, eye open/closed).

Twelve data sets are contributed from five sites (Beijing Normal University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, University of Florida, University of Leiden, University of Leuven), including resting-state and structural MRI data from a total of 1,013 individuals, acquired after intranasal oxytocin (n= 541) or placebo (n= 472). All included data sets adopted a randomized, placebo-controlled, between-subject design, with fMRI scanning performed 30 to 120 min post-nasal spray administration. Across sites, resting-state fMRI scanning was performed for an average of 7.6 min (5 to 8.5min), either with eyes open (65.6%) or eyes closed (34.4%). Administered doses ranged from 16–40 IU, with the majority of sites adopting a dose of 24 IU.
Scans were predominantly taken from neurotypical individuals, except for a subsample of individuals with autism (n= 38). Three sites included hormonal collections of oxytocin or cortisol through salivary or blood sampling (n= 185 samples). The aggregated sample displayed variation in age across sites with a mean age of 24.6 years in the oxytocin (range: 18–80 years) and 25.1 years in the placebo (range: 17–81 years) group. The aggregated sample also displayed a predominance of male (75.9%), compared to female subjects (24.1%), with several data sets excluding females by design.

The open sharing of resting-state fMRI scans from intranasal oxytocin studies among international sites will significantly promote collaboration, enhance sample sizes, and allow for more robust and generalizable findings. Specifically, the harmonized data set emerging from OBIDE will advance research discovery in oxytocin pharmaco-neuroimaging, i.e. regarding the impact of design-related (e.g., dose, scan paradigm) and person-dependent (e.g., age, sex) factors on oxytocin-brain effects. Gaining robust insights into the underlying neural correlates of exogenous oxytocin administration constitutes an essential step towards evaluating the therapeutic potential of oxytocin.

Neurodevelopmental/ Early Life (eg. ADHD, autism)

Databasing and Data Sharing ¹

Pharmacology and Neurotransmission ²

Autism

FUNCTIONAL MRI

Neurotransmitter

Open Data

Pharmacotherapy

Psychiatric

Psychiatric Disorders

Other - Oxytocin, resting-state fMRI