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McClung J, Triki Z, Pompeyo ML, Fassier R, Emery Y, Bangerter A, Clément F, Bshary R. Oxytocin and shared intentionality are positively associated with cooperation in children. Horm Behav 2024; 166:105651. [PMID: 39395226 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/14/2024]
Abstract
While humans cooperate with unrelated individuals to an extent that far outstrips any other species, we also display extreme variation in decisions about whether to cooperate or not. A diversity of cognitive, affective, social, and physiological mechanisms interact to shape these decisions. For example, group membership, shared intentionality talk (i.e. talk about shared goals), and natural initial oxytocin levels are linked to cooperation in adults in an optimal foraging paradigm that is loosely modelled on the iterated prisoner's dilemma. In this 'egg hunt', shared intentionality talk was key to achieving cooperation, and it drove cooperation more between participants who shared the same group membership (and who also had higher initial oxytocin levels). Such complex interactions raise the question of the age at which humans develop the necessary mechanisms to cooperate effectively in the egg hunt game. Here, we tested children in secondary school aged between 10 and 14 years. We found that, as for adults, shared intentionality talk was crucial for successful cooperation. Furthermore, initial oxytocin levels correlated with cooperation through shared intentionality talk. In contrast, group membership did not affect behaviour. Finally, pre- and post-experiment oxytocin levels showed various interactions with group membership and sex. Thus, children's performance was relatively similar to adults while showing some differences with respect to underlying mechanisms. Our study is a rare contribution to further our understanding of the role of oxytocin in early adolescent social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer McClung
- Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Zegni Triki
- Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Monica Lancheros Pompeyo
- Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Romain Fassier
- Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Yasmin Emery
- Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Bangerter
- Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Clément
- Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Language and Communication Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Pierre-a-Mazel 7, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Redouan Bshary
- Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Zhang J, Li C, Chen Z, Zhao X, He Y, Wei L, Kong N. Circulating JKAP levels may correlate with postpartum anxiety and depression through its interaction with T helper 17 cells. Braz J Med Biol Res 2024; 57:e13253. [PMID: 39383378 PMCID: PMC11463909 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2024e13253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Jun N-terminal kinase pathway-associated phosphatase (JKAP) regulates CD4+ T-cell differentiation and immunity, which are linked to mental disorders. This study aimed to explore the relationships between JKAP and T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) ratio, as well as their associations with anxiety and depression in postpartum women. Serum JKAP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and blood Th17 and Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry in 250 postpartum women. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by the 6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI6) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Anxiety and depression rates were 22.0 and 28.4%, respectively, among postpartum women. Notably, JKAP was negatively associated with the STAI6 (P=0.002) and EPDS scores (P<0.001) in postpartum women and was lower in postpartum women with anxiety (P=0.023) or depression (P=0.002) than in those without. Moreover, JKAP was inversely related to Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio but positively correlated with Treg cells in postpartum women (all P<0.001). Interestingly, Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio were both positively associated with STAI6 and EPDS scores in postpartum women (all P<0.001). Furthermore, Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio were lower in postpartum women with anxiety or depression than in those without (all P<0.01). Nevertheless, Treg cells were not linked to anxiety or depression in postpartum women. JKAP was negatively associated with Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio; moreover, they all related to anxiety and depression in postpartum women, indicating that JKAP may be involved in postpartum anxiety and depression via interactions with Th17 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai, China
| | - Cui Li
- Department of Operating Room, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhao
- Department of Cancer Laboratory, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai, China
| | - Yuanyuan He
- Department of Pediatrics, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai, China
| | - Lei Wei
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Nana Kong
- Department of Obstetrics, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai, China
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Zeng G, Leung TS, Maylott SE, Malik A, Adornato AA, Lebowitz M, Messinger DS, Szeto A, Feldman R, Simpson EA. Infants' salivary oxytocin and positive affective reactions to people. Horm Behav 2024; 164:105579. [PMID: 38905820 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide positively associated with prosociality in adults. Here, we studied whether infants' salivary oxytocin can be reliably measured, is developmentally stable, and is linked to social behavior. We longitudinally collected saliva from 62 U.S. infants (44 % female, 56 % Hispanic/Latino, 24 % Black, 18 % non-Hispanic White, 11 % multiracial) at 4, 8, and 14 months of age and offline-video-coded the valence of their facial affect in response to a video of a smiling woman. We also captured infants' affective reactions in terms of excitement/joyfulness during a live, structured interaction with a singing woman in the Early Social Communication Scales at 14 months. We detected stable individual differences in infants' oxytocin levels over time (over minutes and months) and in infants' positive affect over months and across contexts (video-based and in live interactions). We detected no statistically significant changes in oxytocin levels between 4 and 8 months but found an increase from 8 to 14 months. Infants with higher oxytocin levels showed more positive facial affect to a smiling person video at 4 months; however, this association disappeared at 8 months, and reversed at 14 months (i.e., higher oxytocin was associated with less positive facial affect). Infant salivary oxytocin may be a reliable physiological measure of individual differences related to socio-emotional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Zeng
- School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China; Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
| | - Tiffany S Leung
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | | | - Arushi Malik
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Alexis A Adornato
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Mendel Lebowitz
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Angela Szeto
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Ruth Feldman
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel; Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Jiang ST, Lian SY, Sun YH, Pan MB, Wang B, Wang H, Hua J, Wang YC, Wang QL, Dong YF. The oxytocin receptor is essential for the protective effect of pair housing on post-stroke depression in mice. Exp Gerontol 2024; 190:112432. [PMID: 38614224 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2024.112432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The beneficial effect of social interaction in mitigating the incidence of post-stroke depression (PSD) and ameliorating depressive symptoms has been consistently demonstrated through preclinical and clinical studies. However, the underlying relationship with oxytocin requires further investigation. In light of this, the present study aimed to explore the protective effect of pair housing on the development of PSD and the potential relationship with oxytocin receptors. The PSD model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 50 min, followed by 4-week isolated housing and restrained stress. Subsequently, each mouse in the pair-housing group (PH) was pair-housed with an isosexual healthy partner. Another group was continuously administrated fluoxetine (10 mg/Kg, i.p, once a day) for 3 weeks. To elucidate the potential role of oxytocin, we subjected pair-housed PSD mice to treatment with an oxytocin receptor (OXTR) antagonist (L368,889) (5 mg/Kg, i.p, once a day) for 3 weeks. At 31 to 32 days after MCAO, anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors were assessed using sucrose consumption, forced swim test, and tail-suspension test. The results showed that pair housing significantly improved post-stroke depression to an extent comparable to that of fluoxetine treatment. Furthermore, pair housing significantly decreased corticosterone in serum, increasing OXT mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Treatment with L368,889 essentially reversed the effect of pair housing, with no discernible sex differences apart from changes in body weight. Pair housing increased hippocampal serotonin (5-HT), but treatment with L368,889 had no significant impact. Additionally, pair housing effectively reduced the number of reactive astrocytes and increased Nissl's body in the cortex and hippocampal CA3 regions. Correspondingly, treatment with L368,889 significantly reversed the changes in the Nissl's body and reactive astrocytes. Moreover, pair housing downregulated mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the cortex caused by PSD, which was also reversed by treatment with L368,889. In conclusion, pair housing protects against the development of PSD depending on OXT and OXTR in the brain, with no significant divergence based on sex. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential of social interaction and oxytocin as therapeutic targets for PSD. Further research into the underlying mechanisms of these effects may contribute to the development of novel treatments for PSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Ting Jiang
- Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shu-Ying Lian
- Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yao-Huan Sun
- Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mei-Bo Pan
- Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jun Hua
- Department of Neurology & Psychology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi-Chen Wang
- Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qiu-Ling Wang
- Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Yin-Feng Dong
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Wang Y, Gao Q, Liu J, Zhang F, Xu X. Translation and validation of the Chinese version of the maternal postpartum stress scale. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:685. [PMID: 37740223 PMCID: PMC10517469 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05990-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To translate the Maternal Postpartum Stress Scale (MPSS) into Chinese and validate its psychometric properties in postpartum women. METHODS A total of 406 postpartum women were recruited from six hospitals in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China. Cronbach's α co-efficient, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability were used to evaluate the reliability of the translated scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate the structural validity of the scale. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 anxiety dimension, and Perceived Stress Scale were used as calibration scales to measure the correlation of MPSS. All data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and Amos 24.0. RESULTS The Cronbach's α co-efficient of the Chinese version of MPSS and its three dimensions were 0.940 and 0.882-0.911, respectively. The split-half reliability was 0.825, and the test-retest reliability was 0.912. The scale's content validity index was 0.926. Three common factors were extracted from the EFA. The CFA validated the explored 3-factor structure, and the indicators were fitted well (χ2/Df = 2.167, comparative fit index = 0.918, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.907, incremental fit index = 0.919, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.075). CONCLUSION The translated Chinese version of MPSS had suitable reliability and validity in assessing postpartum stress in Chinese women. The translated scale can also help with the early identification of postpartum stress and provide a scientific basis for the formulation of early personalized intervention measures. Overall, the scale has certain clinical value and practical significance for enhancing the physical and mental health of postpartum women. However, future studies including large, diverse populations are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchi Wang
- Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong), Nantong, Jiangsu, China
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Nursing, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Gao
- Department of Nursing, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xujuan Xu
- Department of Nursing, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
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López-Arjona M, Botía M, Martínez-Subiela S, Cerón JJ. Oxytocin measurements in saliva: an analytical perspective. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:96. [PMID: 37507690 PMCID: PMC10386254 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03661-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin has traditionally been known for its physiological effects on muscle contraction associated with birth and lactation, but in the last years is widely used as a biomarker of "positive experiences" in psychology and behavior. Different types of samples have been used for oxytocin measurements with saliva samples having the particular advantage of an easy and non-stressful collection. However, the low concentration of oxytocin in saliva can represent a limitation for its use. For this reason, sensitive assays and even a previous sample treatment in some cases are required for saliva oxytocin quantification. In addition, the lack of standardized and generally agreed-upon approach to peripheral oxytocin measurement leads to large discrepancies between different laboratories, that use different sample treatment protocols and different assays. The main objectives of this review are to describe the current status of the use of saliva for oxytocin measurement, provide details of the different sample processing techniques that can be applied and inform about the analytical techniques and assays available in different animal species, and also in humans for comparative purposes. It is expected that this information can contribute to an increase in the knowledge about the measurements of oxytocin in saliva and to its wider use in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina López-Arjona
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain.
| | - María Botía
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Silvia Martínez-Subiela
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - José Joaquín Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, Murcia, 30100, Spain
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Rice LJ, Agu J, Carter CS, Harris JC, Nazarloo HP, Naanai H, Einfeld SL. The relationship between endogenous oxytocin and vasopressin levels and the Prader-Willi syndrome behaviour phenotype. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1183525. [PMID: 37313445 PMCID: PMC10259653 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1183525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Oxytocin and vasopressin systems are altered in Prader Willi syndrome (PWS). However, investigations into endogenous oxytocin and vasopressin levels as well as clinical trials evaluating the effect of exogenous oxytocin on PWS symptoms have had mixed results. It is also unknown whether endogenous oxytocin and vasopressin levels are associated with certain PWS behaviours. Method We compared plasma oxytocin and vasopressin and saliva oxytocin levels in 30 adolescents and adults with PWS to 30 typically developing age-matched controls. We also compared neuropeptide levels between gender and genetic subtypes within the PWS cohort and examined the relationship between neuropeptide levels and PWS behaviours. Results While we did not measure a group difference in plasma or saliva oxytocin levels, plasma vasopressin was significantly lower in individuals with PWS compared to controls. Within the PWS cohort, saliva oxytocin levels were higher in females compared to males and individuals with the mUPD compared to the deletion genetic subtype. We also found the neuropeptides correlated with different PWS behaviours for males and females and for genetic subtypes. For the deletion group, higher plasma and saliva oxytocin levels were related to fewer behaviour problems. For the mUPD group, higher plasma vasopressin levels were related to more behaviour problems. Conclusion These findings support existing evidence of a vasopressin system defect in PWS and for the first time identify potential differences in the oxytocin and vasopressin systems across PWS genetic subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J. Rice
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Josephine Agu
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - C. Sue Carter
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - James C. Harris
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences and Paediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Hans P. Nazarloo
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Habiba Naanai
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stewart L. Einfeld
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Application of Intranasal Administration in the Delivery of Antidepressant Active Ingredients. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102070. [PMID: 36297505 PMCID: PMC9611373 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As a mental disease in modern society, depression shows an increasing occurrence, with low cure rate and high recurrence rate. It has become the most disabling disease in the world. At present, the treatment of depression is mainly based on drug therapy combined with psychological therapy, physical therapy, and other adjuvant therapy methods. Antidepressants are primarily administered peripherally (oral and intravenous) and have a slow onset of action. Antidepressant active ingredients, such as neuropeptides, natural active ingredients, and some chemical agents, are limited by factors such as the blood–brain barrier (BBB), first-pass metabolism, and extensive adverse effects caused by systemic administration. The potential anatomical link between the non-invasive nose–brain pathway and the lesion site of depression may provide a more attractive option for the delivery of antidepressant active ingredients. The purpose of this article is to describe the specific link between intranasal administration and depression, the challenges of intranasal administration, as well as studies of intranasal administration of antidepressant active ingredients.
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Plessow F, Galbiati F, Eddy KT, Misra M, Miller KK, Klibanski A, Aulinas A, Lawson EA. Low oxytocin levels are broadly associated with more pronounced psychopathology in anorexia nervosa with primarily restricting but not binge/purge eating behavior. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1049541. [PMID: 36798485 PMCID: PMC9927219 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1049541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Anorexia nervosa (AN) is commonly associated with depression, anxiety, and deficits in socioemotional functioning. Basal levels of oxytocin, a neurohormone with antidepressant, anxiolytic, and prosocial properties, are low in women with AN. However, the relationship between oxytocin and psychopathology of AN/atypical AN has not been examined in individuals with primarily food restriction (AN/AtypAN-R) or those with restriction plus binge/purge behaviors (AN/AtypAN-BP) alone, which is important to further elucidate the neurobiology of different AN presentations. We investigated whether oxytocin levels are related to eating, affective, and socioemotional psychopathology in women with AN/AtypAN-R and separately AN/AtypAN-BP. METHODS In a cross-sectional study of 53 women with low-weight AN or atypical AN based on DSM-5 (AN/AtypAN-R: n=21, AN/AtypAN-BP: n=32), we obtained fasting serum oxytocin levels and self-report measures of psychopathology, including the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Beck Depression Inventory-IA (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). RESULTS In individuals with AN/AtypAN-R, oxytocin levels were negatively associated with eating psychopathology (EDE-Q Global Score: r=-0.49, p=0.024), depressive and anxiety symptoms (BDI Total Score: r=-0.55, p=0.009; STAI Trait Score: r=-0.63, p=0.002), and socioemotional symptoms (TAS-20 Difficulty Identifying Feelings Score: r=-0.49, p=0.023). In contrast, in those with AN/AtypAN-BP oxytocin levels were negatively associated with depressive symptoms only (BDI Total Score: r=-0.52, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS These findings support the notion that AN/AtypAN-R and AN/AtypAN-BP might have divergent underlying neurobiology. Understanding these differences is crucial to develop targeted treatments for a population with high levels of chronicity, for which no specific pharmacological treatments are currently available. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT01121211.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Plessow
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Francesca Galbiati
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kamryn T. Eddy
- Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Madhusmita Misra
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Karen K. Miller
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Anne Klibanski
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Anna Aulinas
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Elizabeth A. Lawson,
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