Endogenous oxytocin response to film scenes of attachment and loss is pronounced in schizophrenia.

Lucas G Speck,Christiane Montag,Felix Bermpohl,Johanna Schöner,Andreas Heinz,Jürgen Gallinat,Tomislav Majić

doi:10.1093/scan/nsy110

Abstract

BackgroundOxytocin (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.MethodsIn 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.ResultsStatistical 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.ConclusionsOur 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.

Highlights

In recent decades, disturbances of empathy and emotional responsivity have gathered increasing attention in schizophrenia research
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
Patients scored significantly lower than healthy subjects in Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT)(1–5) values and educational years but indicated significantly more adverse childhood experiences

Summary

Introduction

Disturbances of empathy and emotional responsivity have gathered increasing attention in schizophrenia research. Emotional children’s movies were used to stimulate OXT secretion in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls (HCs). 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. 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

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