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 - daniel.quintana@sydney.edu.auWeb – http://dsquintana.comTwitter - @dsquintana