Low oxytocin levels are related to alexithymia in anorexia nervosa. Issue 11 (16th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmelkin, Cindy; Plessow, Franziska; Thomas, Jennifer J.; Gray, Emily K.; Marengi, Dean A.; Pulumo, Reitumetse; Silva, Lisseth; Miller, Karen K.; Hadjikhani, Nouchine; Franko, Debra L.; Eddy, Kamryn T.; Lawson, Elizabeth A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 50:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 1332
• Page End: 1338
• Publication Date: 2017-10-16
• Subjects: alexithymia -- anorexia nervosa -- oxytocin -- social‐emotional functioning; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.22784
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Anorexia nervosa is associated with social‐emotional functioning deficits and low levels of the social neurohormone oxytocin, even after weight gain. The relationship between low oxytocin levels and social‐emotional functioning impairment has not been studied. Method: We performed a cross‐sectional study of 79 women (19 who were less than 85% of ideal body weight [IBW] with anorexia nervosa [AN], 26 who were 90–120% IBW with a history of AN [AN‐WR], and 34 who were 90–120% IBW with no eating disorder history [H]). We administered the Eating Disorder Examination–Questionnaire (EDE‐Q), Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale–Self Report (LSAS‐SR), Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology–Basic Questionnaire (DAPP‐BQ; suspiciousness and insecure attachment subscales), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20). We also analyzed fasting serum oxytocin levels. Results: Most measures of social‐emotional functioning showed impairment in women with AN and AN‐WR compared to H. Oxytocin levels were low in AN‐WR compared to H. Across groups, low oxytocin levels were associated with difficulty identifying feelings ( r = −.45, p = .008) and overall alexithymia ( r = −.34, p = .0489). Discussion: We speculate that low oxytocin levels may contribute to alexithymia in women with anorexia nervosa.