1
|
Ellenbogen MA, Cardoso C, Serravalle L, Vadaga K, Joober R. The effects of intranasal oxytocin on the efficacy of psychotherapy for major depressive disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Psychol Med 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38445382 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724000217] [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] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although both pharmacotherapy and psychological treatments are considered to be efficacious in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), one third of patients do not respond to treatment and many experience residual symptoms post-treatment. In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized control trial (RCT), we assessed whether intranasal oxytocin (OT) augments the therapeutic efficacy of psychotherapy for MDD and improves the therapeutic alliance. METHODS Twenty-three volunteers (12 female) with MDD underwent 16 sessions of interpersonal therapy. Prior to each session, volunteers self-administered 24 International Units of intranasal OT (n = 12; Syntocinon) or placebo (n = 11). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology at pre- and post-treatment, and at a six month follow-up. RESULTS Multilevel modeling found a significant effect of OT on the negative slope of depressive symptoms over time (p < 0.05), with medium-large effect sizes at post-treatment (Cohen's d = 0.75) and follow-up (Cohen's d = 0.82). Drug intervention also predicted the intercept when examining the weekly ratings of the therapeutic alliance (p < 0.05), such that volunteers receiving OT, relative to placebo, reported improved therapeutic alliance at session 1. The agreement of goals between therapists and participants, a facet of the therapeutic alliance, mediated the relationship between drug intervention and clinical outcome. CONCLUSION In this pilot study, the administration of intranasal OT, relative to placebo, improved the therapeutic alliance at the beginning of therapy and therapeutic efficacy of psychotherapy in persons with MDD. Future RCTs should attempt to replicate these findings in larger samples with different therapeutic modalities (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02405715).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Ellenbogen
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Christopher Cardoso
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Lisa Serravalle
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Kiran Vadaga
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Ridha Joober
- The Douglas Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sorenson K, Kendall E, Grell H, Kang M, Shaffer C, Hwang S. Intranasal Oxytocin in Pediatric Populations: Exploring the Potential for Reducing Irritability and Modulating Neural Responses: A Mini Review. JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2023; 8:e230008. [PMID: 37990750 PMCID: PMC10662790 DOI: 10.20900/jpbs.20230008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous neuropeptide Oxytocin (OXT) plays a crucial role in modulating pro-social behavior and the neural response to social/emotional stimuli. Intranasal administration is the most common method of delivering OXT. Intranasal OXT has been implemented in clinical studies of various psychiatric disorders with mixed results, mainly related to lack of solid pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics model. Due to intranasal OXT's mechanism of reducing the activation of neural areas implicated in emotional responding and emotion regulation, a psychopathology with this target mechanism could be potentially excellent candidate for future clinical trial. In this regard, irritability in youth may be a very promising target for clinical studies of intranasal OXT. Here we provide a mini-review of fifteen randomized controlled trials in pediatric patients with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), or Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). Most studies had small sample sizes and varying dosages, with changes in irritability, mainly as adverse events (AEs). Neuroimaging results showed modulation of the reward processing system and the neural areas implicated in social-emotional information processing by intranasal OXT administration. Further research is needed to determine the most effective dose and duration of OXT treatment, carefully select target psychopathologies, verify target engagement, and measure adverse event profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kennet Sorenson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Emilee Kendall
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Hannah Grell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Minjoo Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Christopher Shaffer
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Soonjo Hwang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu Q, Huang Q, Liu C, Wu H. Oxytocin modulates social brain network correlations in resting and task state. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:3607-3620. [PMID: 36005833 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of oxytocin (OT) on the social brain can be tracked upon assessing the neural activity in resting and task states, and developing a system-level framework for characterizing the state-based functional relationships of its distinct effect. Here, we contribute to this framework by examining how OT modulates social brain network correlations during resting and task states, using fMRI. First, we investigated network activation, followed by an analysis of the relationships between networks and individual differences. Subsequently, we evaluated the functional connectivity in both states. Finally, the relationship between networks across states was represented by the predictive power of networks in the resting state for task-evoked activities. The differences in the predicted accuracy between the subjects displayed individual variations in this relationship. Our results showed that the activity of the dorsal default mode network in the resting state had the largest predictive power for task-evoked activation of the precuneus network (PN) only in the OT group. The results also demonstrated that OT reduced the individual variation in PN in the prediction process. These findings suggest a distributed but modulatory effect of OT on the association between resting and task-dependent brain networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyuan Wu
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Qi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Romero-Martínez Á, Sarrate-Costa C, Moya-Albiol L. Reactive vs proactive aggression: A differential psychobiological profile? Conclusions derived from a systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 136:104626. [PMID: 35331815 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Scholars have established subcategories of aggressive behavior in order to better understand this construct. Specifically, a classification based on motivational underpinnings makes it possible to differentiate between reactive and proactive aggression. Whereas reactive aggression is characterized by emotional lability, which means it is prone to impulsive reactions after provocation, proactive aggression is driven by low emotionality and high levels of instrumentality to obtain benefits. Some authors have conceived these two types as having a dichotomous nature, but others argue against this conceptualization, considering a complementary model more suitable. Hence, neuroscientific research might help to clarify discussions about their nature because biological markers do not present the same biases as psychological instruments. AIM The main objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of studies that assess underlying biological markers (e.g., genes, brain, psychophysiological, and hormonal) of reactive and proactive aggression. METHODS To carry out this review, we followed PRISMA quality criteria for reviews, using five digital databases complemented by hand-searching. RESULTS The reading of 3993 abstracts led to the final inclusion of 157 papers that met all the inclusion criteria. The studies included allow us to conclude that heritability accounted for approximately 45% of the explained variance in both types of aggression, with 60% shared by both, especially, for overt and physical expression forms, and 10% specific to each type. Regarding allelic risk factors, whereas low functioning variants affecting serotonin transport and monoaminoxidase increased the risk of reactive aggression, high functioning variants were associated with proactive aggression. Furthermore, brain analysis revealed an overlap between the two types of aggression and alterations in the volume of the amygdala and temporal cortex. Moreover, high activation of the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) facilitated proneness to both types of aggression equally. Whereas stimulation of the right ventrolateral (VLPFC) and dorsolateral (DLPFC) reduced proneness to aggression, inhibition of the left DLPFC increased it. Finally, psychophysiological and hormonal correlates in general did not clearly differentiate between the two types because they were equally related to each type (e.g., low basal cortisol and vagal variability in response to acute stress) CONCLUSIONS: This study reinforces the complementary model of both types of aggression instead of a dichotomous model. Additionally, this review also offers background about several treatments (i.e., pharmacological, non-invasive brain techniques…) to reduce aggression proneness.
Collapse
|
5
|
Goh KK, Lu ML, Jou S. Childhood Trauma and Aggression in Persons Convicted for Homicide: An Exploratory Study Examines the Role of Plasma Oxytocin. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:719282. [PMID: 34484006 PMCID: PMC8415833 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.719282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence has demonstrated the association between childhood trauma and criminality in adulthood, however, less is known about how best to explain the route from childhood trauma to adulthood aggression. Results from both human and animal studies have generated the hypothesis that dysfunction of the oxytocinergic system may correlate with pathological aggression. The current study represents a first exploratory examination to investigate the trajectory from childhood trauma to aggression, specifically, plasma oxytocin's role in this association. We assessed the childhood trauma experiences in a total of 108 participants, including 33 persons convicted for homicide and 75 non-offending healthy participants, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, with in-depth clarification interviews for cross-validation. All participants were checked for aggression using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and their plasma oxytocin levels were obtained. Results indicated that persons convicted for homicide had higher childhood trauma scores and lower plasma oxytocin levels than healthy controls. The plasma oxytocin levels were inversely correlated with childhood trauma in all participants. Further mediation models were constructed to explore these associations, in the best-fit model, the relationship between childhood trauma and aggression is mediated by plasma oxytocin levels in persons convicted for homicide. In conclusion, the association between childhood trauma and aggression of persons convicted for homicide is mediated by their plasma oxytocin levels. With leading to further theoretical consideration in the causality on how best to explain the interaction between childhood trauma and aggression, the current study may assist in developing further research and preventive strategies for aggression, particularly the importance of early identification of childhood trauma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kah Kheng Goh
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Psychiatric Research Center, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mong-Liang Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Psychiatric Research Center, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Susyan Jou
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate School of Criminology, National Taipei University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Harvey AR. Links Between the Neurobiology of Oxytocin and Human Musicality. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:350. [PMID: 33005139 PMCID: PMC7479205 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human species possesses two complementary, yet distinct, universal communication systems—language and music. Functional imaging studies have revealed that some core elements of these two systems are processed in closely related brain regions, but there are also clear differences in brain circuitry that likely underlie differences in functionality. Music affects many aspects of human behavior, especially in encouraging prosocial interactions and promoting trust and cooperation within groups of culturally compatible but not necessarily genetically related individuals. Music, presumably via its impact on the limbic system, is also rewarding and motivating, and music can facilitate aspects of learning and memory. In this review these special characteristics of music are considered in light of recent research on the neuroscience of the peptide oxytocin, a hormone that has both peripheral and central actions, that plays a role in many complex human behaviors, and whose expression has recently been reported to be affected by music-related activities. I will first briefly discuss what is currently known about the peptide’s physiological actions on neurons and its interactions with other neuromodulator systems, then summarize recent advances in our knowledge of the distribution of oxytocin and its receptor (OXTR) in the human brain. Next, the complex links between oxytocin and various social behaviors in humans are considered. First, how endogenous oxytocin levels relate to individual personality traits, and then how exogenous, intranasal application of oxytocin affects behaviors such as trust, empathy, reciprocity, group conformity, anxiety, and overall social decision making under different environmental conditions. It is argued that many of these characteristics of oxytocin biology closely mirror the diverse effects that music has on human cognition and emotion, providing a link to the important role music has played throughout human evolutionary history and helping to explain why music remains a special prosocial human asset. Finally, it is suggested that there is a potential synergy in combining oxytocin- and music-based strategies to improve general health and aid in the treatment of various neurological dysfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Thompson RR. An updated field guide for snark hunting: Comparative contributions to behavioral neuroendocrinology in the era of model organisms. Horm Behav 2020; 122:104742. [PMID: 32173444 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Studying neuroendocrine behavioral regulatory mechanisms in a variety of species across vertebrate groups is critical for determining how they work in natural contexts, how they evolved, and ultimately what can be generalized from them, potentially even to humans. All of the above are difficult, at best, if work within our field is exclusively done in traditional laboratory organisms. The importance of comparative approaches for understanding the relationships between hormones and behavior has been recognized and advocated for since our field's inception through a series of papers centered upon a poetic metaphor of Snarks and Boojums, all of which have articulated the benefits that come from studying a diverse range of species and the risks associated with a narrow focus on "model organisms." This mini-review follows in the footsteps of those powerful arguments, highlighting some of the comparative work since the latest interactions of the metaphor that has shaped how we think about three major conceptual frameworks within our field, two of them formalized - the Organization/Activation Model of sexual differentiation and the Social Brain Network - and one, context-dependency, that is generally associated with virtually all modern understandings of how hormones affect behavior. Comparative approaches are broadly defined as those in which the study of mechanism is placed within natural and/or evolutionary contexts, whether they directly compare different species or not. Studies are discussed in relation to how they have either extended or challenged generalities associated with the frameworks, how they have shaped subsequent work in model organisms to further elucidate neuroendocrine behavioral regulatory mechanisms, and how they have stimulated work to determine if and when similar mechanisms influence behavior in our own species.
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhu R, Liu C, Li T, Xu Z, Fung B, Feng C, Wu H, Luo Y, Wang L. Intranasal oxytocin reduces reactive aggression in men but not in women: A computational approach. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:172-181. [PMID: 31374475 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Aggression is an important behaviour that concerns individual survival and large-scale social stability. It comprises a variety of psychological subcomponents and is modulated by different biological factors. Two factors in particular, gender and oxytocin, appear to play a robust role in aggressive behaviour. However, whether these two factors interact to impact aggressive behaviour is not currently known. The current study investigated the modulating effect of gender on the relationship between oxytocin and aggression and characterized its underlying mechanisms by combining behavioural economic, pharmacological, and computational approaches. Specifically, we employed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, between-subjects design, in which one hundred participants (50 men and 50 women) completed a norm-training version of the multi-round one-shot ultimatum game (UG) after intranasal oxytocin or placebo administration. Rejection rates in the UG were adopted as an indicator of reactive aggression. The results indicated that oxytocin compared with placebo administration decreased aggression among men but not among women. Further analyses suggested that this decrease in aggression was a result of changes in men's sensitivity to provocation and positive affect, rather than norm adaptation rates or concerns about the cost of aggression. These findings highlight the role of gender in the relationship between oxytocin and reactive aggression and reveal its underlying psychological and computational mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruida Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Li
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation (IBRR), South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenhua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Bowen Fung
- Division of Humanities and Social Sciences and Computation and Neural Systems Program, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
| | - Chunliang Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Division of Humanities and Social Sciences and Computation and Neural Systems Program, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA; CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yi Luo
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, USA.
| | - Li Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment toward Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Intranasal administration of oxytocin decreases task-related aggressive responses in healthy young males. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 106:147-154. [PMID: 30981088 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aggression and distrust are often challenging problems in mental health treatment. Converging evidence reveals that oxytocin increases trust in social interactions and decreases fear of social betrayal. However, oxytocin has also been associated with protective behavior and, as such, might increase defensive aggressive reactions. In this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the effects of intranasal oxytocin (32IU) on task-related aggressive responses were measured using the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm (PSAP). Fifty-seven healthy males were enrolled and randomized to oxytocin (N = 30) or placebo (n = 27). Salivary oxytocin, cortisol and testosterone were measured serially prior to the intervention, and then before and after the PSAP, to evaluate the effects of oxytocin administration on hormonal functioning in relation to aggression. In addition, oxytocin was measured in urine collected directly after the experimental task, reflecting the 2 h period after oxytocin or placebo administration. The proportion of aggressive responses to the PSAP was significantly lower in participants receiving oxytocin versus placebo (β= -0.46, P = 0.01). No significant effect of oxytocin was found regarding defensive reactions. Urinary oxytocin was negatively associated with the proportion of aggressive responses to the PSAP in both the oxytocin and the placebo group (β= -0.02, P < 0.01), suggesting that higher levels of urinary oxytocin corresponded with reduced aggressive responding. Our results indicate that oxytocin administration reduces aggressive behavior in healthy young men. Moreover, increased endogenous urinary oxytocin is associated with less aggressive responding. Taken together, these findings suggest that oxytocin signaling has a causal influence on aggressive behavior.
Collapse
|
10
|
Fragkaki I, Cima M. The effect of oxytocin administration on empathy and emotion recognition in residential youth: A randomized, within-subjects trial. Horm Behav 2019; 114:104561. [PMID: 31351105 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has revealed a positive effect of oxytocin administration on several social behaviors especially in individuals with social-affective deficits. However, it is still unknown whether intranasal oxytocin administration (OT-IN) can be beneficial to residential youth who exhibit severe social-affective impairments. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects, sequential study to examine the effect of OT-IN on empathy and emotion recognition in 100 male adolescents living in residential youth care facilities. We also explored the moderating role of callous-unemotional traits, trauma, and dissociation in the oxytocin effect. Participants self-administered one dose of 24 IU of oxytocin or placebo and performed experimental tasks on empathy and emotion recognition before and after the administration. The same procedure was performed one week later with the other substance. We found that empathy was increased after oxytocin administration compared to placebo and this effect was specific to individuals with high callous-unemotional traits. There was no effect of OT-IN on the overall emotion recognition, but there was a positive effect on accuracy of fear recognition. Trauma and dissociation did not moderate the oxytocin effect on empathy or emotion recognition. Our findings provided evidence of a beneficial effect of OT-IN on empathy and fear recognition in residential youth. We propose that a combination of OT-IN and psychological interventions merits further exploration, as it might be a novel promising direction for more tailored approaches and better treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iro Fragkaki
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, the Netherlands.
| | - Maaike Cima
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Berends YR, Tulen JH, Wierdsma AI, van Pelt J, Kushner SA, van Marle HJ. Oxytocin, vasopressin and trust: Associations with aggressive behavior in healthy young males. Physiol Behav 2019; 204:180-185. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
12
|
Romney C, Hahn-Holbrook J, Norman GJ, Moore A, Holt-Lunstad J. Where is the love? A double-blind, randomized study of the effects of intranasal oxytocin on stress regulation and aggression. Int J Psychophysiol 2018; 136:15-21. [PMID: 30144492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies reveal that oxytocin (OT) encourages prosocial behavior in humans; however, animal studies and recent work in humans suggest that OT may also play a role in aggressive behavior and feelings. The present study investigated these competing predictions in the context of a competitive task among 85 healthy human participants (males and females). Using a randomized double-blind design, participants were assigned to an experimental (intranasal OT) or control (intranasal placebo) group. Hostility (Aggression Questionnaire) was measured at home (T1) and in the lab after intranasal administration (T2). Behavioral aggression was assessed post-intranasal administration. There was a significant difference between the OT and the placebo group on hostility scores (p = 0.03) and a significant time by group interaction for behavioral aggression (p < 0.05). Self-reported hostility was significantly higher at T2 compared to T1 (p < 0.001) among participants in the oxytocin group while no significant change was found in hostility among the placebo group. Behavioral aggression was slightly higher in the OT group (compared to the placebo group) directly after OT administration, however, the opposite relationship was found as the study period progressed. Both hostility and behavioral aggression findings were consistent across gender.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Romney
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, United States of America
| | | | - Greg J Norman
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, United States of America
| | - Andrew Moore
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review article aims at giving an update on studies investigating correlates of aggression in personality disorders during the last 5 years. RECENT FINDINGS Most data refer to borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). In BPD, emotion dysregulation, hypersensitivity to interpersonal rejection/threat, increased rumination, increased negative urgency, aggression-related knowledge structures, and invalidation were either corroborated or emerged as psychological correlates of aggression, while reduced ambiguity sensitivity, hyposensitivity to interpersonal threat, and reduced mindfulness were associated with aggression in ASPD. Neurobiologically, alterations of the monoaminooxidase-A-, the oxytocinergic-, and the prefrontal-limbic-system as well as increases of the thyroid hormone T3, γ-aminobutyric acid and several inflammatory markers were associated with increased aggression across various personality disorders. Our understanding of correlates of aggression in personality disorders has increased over the last 5 years. More efforts in improving the conceptualization of personality disorders and aggression are needed to develop innovative treatments for those affected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Falk Mancke
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Voßstraße 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Voßstraße 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Voßstraße 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Pfundmair M, Reinelt A, DeWall CN, Feldmann L. Oxytocin strengthens the link between provocation and aggression among low anxiety people. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 93:124-132. [PMID: 29727809 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) not only modulates positive social interactions but also affects negative ones. Several studies have established a link between OT and aggression. However, they also resulted in an inconsistent picture and showed methodological issues. The current studies aimed to address these lacks and test the hypothesis that OT increases provocation-induced aggression in people low in anxiety. Therefore, two studies with 56 males (Study 1) as well as 40 females and 24 males (Study 2) were conducted. After responding to a trait anxiety questionnaire, participants self-administered OT or a placebo. Thereafter, provocation was manipulated by rejecting vs. accepting (Study 1) or insulting vs. accepting (Study 2) the participants by real human counterparts. Aggressive behavior was quantified by measuring how much hot sauce (Study 1) or unpleasant blasts of white noise (Study 2) participants delivered to their opponents, using two classic aggression paradigms. Both studies provided evidence that OT promotes aggression in response to provocation in low anxiety people which was not the case with no provocation or in high anxiety people. These findings confirm the idea that OT can be involved in the creation of aggressive behavior when accounting for situational and dispositional features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Pfundmair
- LMU-Munich, Department of Psychology, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - Annika Reinelt
- LMU-Munich, Department of Psychology, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - C Nathan DeWall
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology, 123 Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA.
| | - Lisa Feldmann
- University Hospital Munich, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Nußbaumstr. 5a, 80336 Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Jurek B, Neumann ID. The Oxytocin Receptor: From Intracellular Signaling to Behavior. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1805-1908. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00031.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 408] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The many facets of the oxytocin (OXT) system of the brain and periphery elicited nearly 25,000 publications since 1930 (see FIGURE 1 , as listed in PubMed), which revealed central roles for OXT and its receptor (OXTR) in reproduction, and social and emotional behaviors in animal and human studies focusing on mental and physical health and disease. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of OXT expression and release, expression and binding of the OXTR in brain and periphery, OXTR-coupled signaling cascades, and their involvement in behavioral outcomes to assemble a comprehensive picture of the central and peripheral OXT system. Traditionally known for its role in milk let-down and uterine contraction during labor, OXT also has implications in physiological, and also behavioral, aspects of reproduction, such as sexual and maternal behaviors and pair bonding, but also anxiety, trust, sociability, food intake, or even drug abuse. The many facets of OXT are, on a molecular basis, brought about by a single receptor. The OXTR, a 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor capable of binding to either Gαior Gαqproteins, activates a set of signaling cascades, such as the MAPK, PKC, PLC, or CaMK pathways, which converge on transcription factors like CREB or MEF-2. The cellular response to OXT includes regulation of neurite outgrowth, cellular viability, and increased survival. OXTergic projections in the brain represent anxiety and stress-regulating circuits connecting the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or the medial prefrontal cortex. Which OXT-induced patterns finally alter the behavior of an animal or a human being is still poorly understood, and studying those OXTR-coupled signaling cascades is one initial step toward a better understanding of the molecular background of those behavioral effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jurek
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Fragkaki I, Cima M, Granic I. The role of trauma in the hormonal interplay of cortisol, testosterone, and oxytocin in adolescent aggression. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 88:24-37. [PMID: 29156403 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Although numerous studies have examined the neuroendocrinology of aggression, the findings are mixed and focused on cortisol and testosterone. We argue that past findings remain inconclusive partly because the key roles of oxytocin and trauma have not been systematically integrated yet. Oxytocin is associated with social behavior and interacts with cortisol and testosterone, whereas trauma is a crucial risk factor of aggression that strongly affects hormonal activity. In this review, we investigate the role of trauma in the hormonal interplay of cortisol, testosterone, and oxytocin in aggression during adolescence. We first discuss how these hormones interact with each other and how trauma influences these interactions and then we propose a model that highlights the role of trauma in the hormonal interplay in aggression. We suggest that the timing of trauma has a distinct effect on hormonal activity and it should be integrated into any comprehensive model. Current trauma is linked to different levels of oxytocin, cortisol, testosterone, and testosterone/cortisol ratio than childhood trauma, but this distinction is also influenced by gender and type of aggression. We conclude that in order to better understand the neuroendocrinology of aggression, it is crucial to incorporate the investigation of oxytocin and trauma in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iro Fragkaki
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Maaike Cima
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Isabela Granic
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has a solid reputation as a facilitator of social interactions such as parental and pair bonding, trust, and empathy. The many results supporting a pro-social role of OT have generated the hypothesis that impairments in the endogenous OT system may lead to antisocial behavior, most notably social withdrawal or pathological aggression. If this is indeed the case, administration of exogenous OT could be the "serenic" treatment that psychiatrists have for decades been searching for.In the present review, we list and discuss the evidence for an endogenous "hypo-oxytocinergic state" underlying aggressive and antisocial behavior, derived from both animal and human studies. We furthermore examine the reported effects of synthetic OT administration on aggression in rodents and humans.Although the scientific findings listed in this review support, in broad lines, the link between a down-regulated or impaired OT system activity and increased aggression, the anti-aggressive effects of synthetic OT are less straightforward and require further research. The rather complex picture that emerges adds to the ongoing debate questioning the unidirectional pro-social role of OT, as well as the strength of the effects of intranasal OT administration in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trynke R de Jong
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gerra LM, Gerra G, Mercolini L, Manfredini M, Somaini L, Pieri CM, Antonioni M, Protti M, Ossola P, Marchesi C. Increased oxytocin levels among abstinent heroin addicts: Association with aggressiveness, psychiatric symptoms and perceived childhood neglect. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 75:70-76. [PMID: 28093220 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A disruption of the oxytocin system seems to affect a variety of brain functions including emotions, mood and social behavior possibly underlying severe social deficits and susceptibility for substance use and mental health disorders. Early life adversity, such as insecure attachment in childhood, has been suggested to influence oxytocin tone contributing to a condition of neurobiological vulnerability. Aim of the present study was to investigate oxytocin serum levels in abstinent heroin addicted patients, in comparison with healthy controls, and the possible correlation with co-occurring psychiatric symptoms, aggressiveness and perception of parental neglect. Eighteen (18) abstinent patients, affected by heroin use disorders, and 18 control subjects, who never used drugs or abused alcohol, were included in the study and submitted to 1) collection of a blood sample for oxytocin assay, 2) Symptoms Check List 90 for psychiatric symptoms evaluation 3) Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory to measure aggressiveness 4) Child Experience of Care and Abuse-Questionnaire to retrospectively test the perception of parental neglect. Heroin exposure extent and heroin dosages were also recorded. Oxytocin serum levels were unexpectedly significantly higher among abstinent patients affected by heroin use disorders and positively correlated with psychiatric symptoms, aggressiveness and mother neglect scores. No correlation was evidenced between oxytocin and heroin exposure extent or dosages. Our findings appear to contradict the simplistic view of oxytocin as a pro-social hormone and confirm previous evidence concerning the peptide levels direct association with aggressive behavior and mood disorders. Considering a more complex mechanism, oxytocin would increase the sensitivity to social salience cues related to contextual or inter-individual factors, promoting pro-sociality in "safe" conditions and, in contrast, inducing more defensive and "anti-social" emotions and behaviors when the social cues are interpreted as "unsafe". This latter condition is often characterizing the clinical history of addicted patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lidia M Gerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gilberto Gerra
- Drug Prevention and Health Branch, Division for Operations, United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Mercolini
- Laboratory of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT) Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Somaini
- Addiction Treatment Centre, Local Health Service, Cossato, Biella, Italy.
| | - Chiara M Pieri
- Addiction Treatment Centre, Local Health Service, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maina Antonioni
- Addiction Treatment Centre, Local Health Service, Parma, Italy
| | - Michele Protti
- Laboratory of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT) Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Ossola
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Marchesi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hecht EE, Robins DL, Gautam P, King TZ. Intranasal oxytocin reduces social perception in women: Neural activation and individual variation. Neuroimage 2017; 147:314-329. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
|
20
|
The relationship between aggression, empathy skills and serum oxytocin levels in male children and adolescents with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Behav Pharmacol 2016; 27:681-688. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
21
|
Association between oxytocin and receptor genetic polymorphisms and aggression in a northern Chinese Han population with alcohol dependence. Neurosci Lett 2016; 636:140-144. [PMID: 27818356 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.10.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol dependence (AD) is a common chronic brain disorder precipitated by complex interactions between biological, genetic, and environmental risk factors. Aggression often occurs in the context of AD. Previous studies have shown that Oxytocin (OXT) and OXT receptor (OXTR) are involved in the regulation of aggression. The present study investigated whether variations and interactions of OXT and OXTR genes were associated with AD-related aggression in a genetically homogeneous northern Chinese Han population. METHODS Three hundred and twenty-four male AD patients and 510 male healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. A Chinese version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire was used as a subjective measurement of aggressive behavior. Three variations, rs2254298, rs53576, and rs6133010 were genotyped using TaqMan and ligase detection reaction for all subjects. Generalized Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction was used to detect interactions between genetic attributes and environmental attributes. RESULTS The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of rs6133010 were significantly different between AD patients and HCs (p<0.001). In HCs, the effect of genotype GG of rs53576 on hostility aggression was significantly stronger than that of genotype AA and AG (p=0.001 and p=0.004, respectively), and the subjects with the interaction combination of rs6133010AA×rs2254298GG×rs53576AG exhibited significant effect on physical aggression (p=0.0107). CONCLUSION The present study found that rs6133010 in the OXT gene is associated with AD in the northern Chinese Han population. The polymorphisms of OXT/R may play a key role in the susceptibility of AD-related aggression.
Collapse
|