Sensitivity to intranasal oxytocin in adult men with early parental separation.
BACKGROUND
Central oxytocin (OT) is critically involved in mediating social bonding and protecting against stress, depression, and anxiety. In animal models, early social experiences induce changes in central OT systems. In humans, early parental separation (EPS) increases the risk for emotional disorders in adulthood. We examined neuroendocrine responses to intranasal OT administration in men with EPS and healthy control subjects as an estimate of central OT sensitivity.


METHODS
Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured in 9 healthy men with EPS and 10 control subjects before and after double-blind intranasal administration of placebo and OT (24 IU Syntocinon).


RESULTS
Relative to placebo, intranasal OT resulted in attenuated cortisol decreases in EPS subjects compared with control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results may suggest altered central sensitivity to the effects of OT after EPS. Future studies should replicate these results and scrutinize the role of OT in mediating risk versus resilience to psychopathology after early social adversity.
Meinlschmidt
Gunther
G
Department of Clinical and Theoretical Psychobiology, University of Trier, 54286 Trier, Germany.
Heim
Christine
C
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010290:Parents; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism
D010121:Oxytocin; D006854:Hydrocortisone