Franziska Plessow1, Kamryn T Eddy2, Elizabeth A Lawson3. 1. Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street BUL457, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. fplessow@mgh.harvard.edu. 2. Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. 3. Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street BUL457, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. ealawson@partners.org.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The neurohormone oxytocin (OXT) impacts food intake as well as cognitive, emotional, and social functioning-all of which are central to eating disorder (ED) pathology across the weight spectrum. Here, we review findings on endogenous OXT levels and their relationship to ED pathology, the impact of exogenous OXT on mechanisms that drive ED presentation and chronicity, and the potential role of genetic predispositions in the OXT-ED link. RECENT FINDINGS: Current findings suggest a role of the OXT system in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa. In individuals with bulimia nervosa, endogenous OXT levels were comparable to those of healthy controls, and exogenous OXT reduced food intake. Studies in other ED are lacking. However, genetic studies suggest a broad role of the OXT system in influencing ED pathology. Highlighting findings on why OXT represents a potential biomarker of and treatment target for ED, we advocate for a systematic research approach spanning the entire ED spectrum.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The neurohormone oxytocin (OXT) impacts food intake as well as cognitive, emotional, and social functioning-all of which are central to eating disorder (ED) pathology across the weight spectrum. Here, we review findings on endogenous OXT levels and their relationship to ED pathology, the impact of exogenous OXT on mechanisms that drive ED presentation and chronicity, and the potential role of genetic predispositions in the OXT-ED link. RECENT FINDINGS: Current findings suggest a role of the OXT system in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa. In individuals with bulimia nervosa, endogenous OXT levels were comparable to those of healthy controls, and exogenous OXT reduced food intake. Studies in other ED are lacking. However, genetic studies suggest a broad role of the OXT system in influencing ED pathology. Highlighting findings on why OXT represents a potential biomarker of and treatment target for ED, we advocate for a systematic research approach spanning the entire ED spectrum.
Authors: Elizabeth A Lawson; Laura M Holsen; McKale Santin; Erinne Meenaghan; Kamryn T Eddy; Anne E Becker; David B Herzog; Jill M Goldstein; Anne Klibanski Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2012-08-07 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Richard A I Bethlehem; Jack van Honk; Bonnie Auyeung; Simon Baron-Cohen Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2012-11-15 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: Anna Aulinas; Franziska Plessow; Reitumetse L Pulumo; Elisa Asanza; Christopher J Mancuso; Meghan Slattery; Christiane Tolley; Jennifer J Thomas; Kamryn T Eddy; Karen K Miller; Anne Klibanski; Madhusmita Misra; Elizabeth A Lawson Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2019-10-01 Impact factor: 5.958