Oxytocin and Major Depressive Disorder: Experimental and Clinical Evidence for Links to Aetiology and Possible Treatment
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Evidence from Animal Studies
2.1. Animal models of depression
2.2. OXT and the reward system
2.4. OXT and 5-HT interactions
2.5. OXT and stress responsivity
3. Evidence from Human Studies
3.1. OXT in the peripartum period
3.2. OXT and adverse early-life events
3.4. MDD and plasma OXT
3.5. MDD and CSF OXT
3.6. Post-mortem studies
3.7. OXT and Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
3.8. OXT and drug discovery
Study Center | Study aims |
---|---|
University of North Carolina | Social functioning / decrease paranoia and psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia |
University of California / Stanley Medical Research Institute | Augmentation of antipsychotics in schizophrenia patients |
Lawson Health Research Institute / Alzheimer’s Society London & Middlesex | Social cognition in frontotemporal dementia |
Sheba Medical Center | Prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder |
University of Maryland / NIMH | Social affliation, anxiety and cognition |
Harvard School of Public Health / Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Amelioration of the neuroendocrine and cardiovascular effects of stress |
University of California | Add-on for stable anxiety patients |
NIDA / University of Maryland | Drug dependence |
NIMH | Functioning of neurocognitive symptoms in mood disorders (together with AVP) |
NIMH | Affectionate writing in response to acute stress |
4. Conclusions
References and Notes
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Slattery, D.A.; Neumann, I.D. Oxytocin and Major Depressive Disorder: Experimental and Clinical Evidence for Links to Aetiology and Possible Treatment. Pharmaceuticals 2010, 3, 702-724. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph3030702
Slattery DA, Neumann ID. Oxytocin and Major Depressive Disorder: Experimental and Clinical Evidence for Links to Aetiology and Possible Treatment. Pharmaceuticals. 2010; 3(3):702-724. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph3030702
Chicago/Turabian StyleSlattery, David A., and Inga D. Neumann. 2010. "Oxytocin and Major Depressive Disorder: Experimental and Clinical Evidence for Links to Aetiology and Possible Treatment" Pharmaceuticals 3, no. 3: 702-724. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph3030702