Elevated central serotonin levels inhibit emotional crying

Frederik Van Der Veen,Joyce Jorritsma,Carola Krijger,Ad Vingerhoets

doi:10.1038/npre.2010.5136.1

Frederik Van Der Veen, Joyce Jorritsma + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/npre.2010.5136.1

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Abstract

AbstractPrevious research has suggested a possible role of serotonin in emotional expressions, such as crying. We have found that a transient increase of central serotonin levels by means of oral administration of paroxetine reduces crying in response to emotional movies in healthy female volunteers. This is the first direct evidence of an important role of serotonin in this uniquely human emotional response.

Highlights

Twenty-five healthy female volunteers were tested in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled single-dose cross-over design
In order to control for possible effects on mood and the evaluation of emotional stimuli, mood was measured directly before administration of the pill and after the movie by means of the profile of mood scales (POMS)[8], whereas valence and arousal ratings were obtained using a subset of the International Affective Pictures System[9]
It was found that the arousal score for the high arousal/low valence category in the paroxetine condition was significantly correlated with crying (r=.52, P

Summary

Introduction

Twenty-five healthy female volunteers were tested in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled single-dose cross-over design. We directly examined whether acute increases in central 5-HT levels by means of the SSRI paroxetine increases the crying threshold. Participants watched an emotional movie (either ‘Brian’s Song’ or ‘Once Were Warriors’) five hours after medication administration, the time at which the effect of paroxetine on central 5-HT levels is maximal[6].

Results

Conclusion