Endogenous Oxytocin Response to Film Scenes of Attachment and Loss is Pronounced in Schizophrenia

Overview

Journal Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci

Specialties Neurology
Social Sciences

Date 2018 Nov 28

PMID 30481342

Citations 4

Authors

Lucas G Speck

Johanna Schoner

Felix Bermpohl

Andreas Heinz

Jurgen Gallinat

Tomislav Majic

Christiane Montag

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Oxytocin (OXT) is critically involved in the regulation of attachment and interpersonal function. In this study, emotional children's movies were used to stimulate OXT secretion in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, associations of OXT levels with measures of attachment style (Psychosis Attachment Measure), childhood adversity (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and symptom severity [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)] were considered.

Methods: In 35 patients with schizophrenia and 35 matched HCs, radioimmunoassay with sample extraction was used to determine OXT plasma levels before and after viewing of movie scenes portraying emotional bonding and loss and compared to a non-emotional condition.

Results: Statistical analysis indicated lower baseline OXT levels in female patients than in all other groups. OXT reactivity during emotional movies was significantly higher in patients when compared to HCs. OXT reactivity during the control movie related to PANSS `general psychopathology'. No significant associations appeared between baseline or induced OXT levels and other PANSS subscales, attachment style or childhood adversity in patients.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest differences of baseline OXT and a higher OXT reactivity toward strong emotional stimuli in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting a role of OXT as a gender- and context-dependent modulator of socio-emotional function.

Citing Articles

From Oxytocin to Compassion: The Saliency of Distress.

Kucerova B, Levit-Binnun N, Gordon I, Golland Y Biology (Basel). 2023; 12(2).

PMID: 36829462 PMC: 9953150. DOI: 10.3390/biology12020183.

Attachment Dimensions predict Social Functioning in persons with Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders, regardless of Symptom Severity.

Monfort-Escrig C, Pena-Garijo J Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2021; 49(6):269-281.

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Oxytocin in Schizophrenia: Pathophysiology and Implications for Future Treatment.

Goh K, Chen C, Lane H Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 22(4).

PMID: 33670047 PMC: 7926349. DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042146.

Peripheral oxytocin is inversely correlated with cognitive, but not emotional empathy in schizophrenia.

Montag C, Schoner J, Speck L, Just S, Stuke F, Rentzsch J PLoS One. 2020; 15(4):e0231257.

PMID: 32255800 PMC: 7138301. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231257.

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