oxytocin and heart rate variability
DESCRIPTION
These were the slides from a seminar presentation I did at the University of Oslo on theTRANSCRIPT
Daniel S. Quintana, PhD Candidate
SCAN research & teaching unit, School of PsychologyBrain & Mind Research Institute
Oxytocin and heart rate variability: A role in social behavior and psychiatric illness
Oxytocin has traditionally been associated with uterine contraction and the milk let-down reflex.
Dale (1906); Ott & Scott (1910)
Background
4x increas
e
OT studies on social cognition
Oxytocin increases gaze to the eye region.
Guastella et al., (2008) Biological Psychiatry, 63(1).
Oxytocin is a cardiovascular hormone.
Gutkowska & Janowski (2012) Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 24(4).
Background
Gutkowska et al., (2007) Am J Physiol, 24(4).
The regulation of the autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in social behavior.
Porges (1998)
The autonomic nervous system
The vagus nerve is part of a system that communicates between the brain and body
The autonomic nervous system
Sinoatrial node
Autonomic nervous system activity can be indexed by heart rate variability (HRV).
Berntson et al. (1997)
The autonomic nervous system
HRV is the temporal variation of beats
Why is high
variability ‘good’?
The autonomic nervous system A kr. 2500 NOKPolar heart rate monitor is as good as a kr. 90,000 NOK ECG system to measure HRV.
Quintana et al. (2012)
The autonomic nervous system HRV is reduced in depression
Kemp, Quintana et al., (2010) Biological Psychiatry, 34 (6); Kemp, Quintana et al., (2012) PLoS One
Is HRV reduced in MDD?
*P > 0.01
Kemp, Quintana et al., (2012) PLoS One
*P > 0.01
Is HRV reduced in MDD with comorbid anxiety?
Kemp, Quintana et al., (2012) PLoS One
HRV is reduced in alcohol dependence
Quintana, Guastella, Kemp et al., (in press) Alcoholism: Experimental &
Clinical research
The autonomic nervous system regulates the projection and the perception of emotion.
Polyvagal theory and social behavior
Porges (2007) Biological Psychology, 74.
Facial muscles
Laryngeal & Pharyngeal
muscles
What is this man thinking or feeling?
HRV is related to emotion recognition.
Oxytocin increases HRV and protects against social isolation.
Oxytocin and HRV in animals
Grippo et al., (2009). Psychoneuroendochronology 34 (10)
Oxytocin nasal spray increases HRV in humans.
Kemp, Quintana, Guastella et al., (2012) PLoS One
Background
3
Almost 10% of global disease burden has been attributed to alcohol.
Rehm et al., (2009) Lancet, 373
Background
3
Almost 60% of patients
relapse a year after
commencing treatment for
alcohol dependence
Almost 60% of patients relapse a year after commencing treatment.Ilgen et al., (2008) Drug and Alcohol dependence, 92
Background
Alcohol is highly accessible for outpatients
HRV is an index of inhibitory processes and is also related to cognitive flexibility.
Thayer & Lane (2000)
Background
3
Almost 60% of patients
relapse a year after
commencing treatment for
alcohol dependence
We hypothesized that HRV would predict craving severity.
Relationship between HRV and OCDS
We have almost completed oxytocin treatment trials on autism, first episode psychosis, and schizophrenia.
Background
3
Almost 60% of patients
relapse a year after
commencing treatment for
alcohol dependence
Oxytocin treatment trial for alcohol dependence.
Discussion• Oxytocin may ‘break the loop’ of repetitive behaviors
related to drug taking (McGregor & Bowen, 2012)
• Placebo controlled, between-subjects design (n = 30).
• Participants received oxytocin or placebo for 4 weeks.
• Pre and post measures include alcohol intake, social cognition and psychophysiology.
• 4 week follow-up after treatment completion.
Oxytocin shows promise in the treatment of disorders characterized by poor social functioning due to its influence on autonomic function.
17
Acknowledgements
Dr. Andrew Kemp SCAN research and teaching unit
School of Psychology University of Sydney
A/Prof. Adam Guastella BMRI
University of Sydney
Prof. Iain McGregor School of Psychology University of Sydney
Prof. Gin MalhiDr. Maree AbbottJames Heathers
Tim OuthredJohn Chalmers
Prof. Ian HickieGail Alvares
Cristina Caccioti-SaijaRuth Wells
CJ Yatawara
Questions?
For more info on research or any questions:Email - [email protected] – http://dsquintana.comTwitter - @dsquintana