Lauren P Ross1, Carmen Andreescu, Tristen K Inagaki. 1. From the Department of Psychology (Ross), University of Pittsburgh; Department of Psychiatry (Andreescu), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Department of Psychology (Inagaki), San Diego State University, San Diego, California.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Early experiences of having received maternal warmth predict responses to opportunities to connect with others later in life. However, the understanding of neurochemical mechanisms by which such relationships emerge remains incomplete. Endogenous opioids, involved in social connection in both animals and humans, may contribute to this link. Therefore, the current study examined a) relationships between early maternal warmth and brain and self-report responses to novel social targets (i.e., outcomes that may promote social connection) and b) the effect of the opioid antagonist, naltrexone, on such relationships. METHODS: Eighty-two adult participants completed a retrospective report of early maternal warmth. On a second visit, participants were randomized to 50 mg of oral naltrexone (n = 42) or placebo (n = 40), followed by a magnetic resonance imaging scan where functional brain activity in response to images of novel social targets (strangers) was assessed. Approximately 24 hours later, participants reported on their feelings of social connection since leaving the scanner. RESULTS: In the placebo condition, greater early maternal warmth was associated with less dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, ventral striatum, and amygdala activity in response to images of novel social targets (r values ≥ -0.360, p values ≤ .031), and greater feelings of social connection (r = 0.524, p < .001) outside of the laboratory. The same relationships, however, were not present in the naltrexone condition. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight relationships between early maternal warmth and responses to the social world at large and suggest that opioids might contribute to social connection by supporting the buffering effects of warm early life experiences on social connection later in life.Trial Registration: Clinical Trials NCT02818036.
OBJECTIVE: Early experiences of having received maternal warmth predict responses to opportunities to connect with others later in life. However, the understanding of neurochemical mechanisms by which such relationships emerge remains incomplete. Endogenous opioids, involved in social connection in both animals and humans, may contribute to this link. Therefore, the current study examined a) relationships between early maternal warmth and brain and self-report responses to novel social targets (i.e., outcomes that may promote social connection) and b) the effect of the opioid antagonist, naltrexone, on such relationships. METHODS: Eighty-two adult participants completed a retrospective report of early maternal warmth. On a second visit, participants were randomized to 50 mg of oral naltrexone (n = 42) or placebo (n = 40), followed by a magnetic resonance imaging scan where functional brain activity in response to images of novel social targets (strangers) was assessed. Approximately 24 hours later, participants reported on their feelings of social connection since leaving the scanner. RESULTS: In the placebo condition, greater early maternal warmth was associated with less dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, ventral striatum, and amygdala activity in response to images of novel social targets (r values ≥ -0.360, p values ≤ .031), and greater feelings of social connection (r = 0.524, p < .001) outside of the laboratory. The same relationships, however, were not present in the naltrexone condition. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight relationships between early maternal warmth and responses to the social world at large and suggest that opioids might contribute to social connection by supporting the buffering effects of warm early life experiences on social connection later in life.Trial Registration: Clinical Trials NCT02818036.
Authors: Tristen K Inagaki; Keely A Muscatell; Mona Moieni; Janine M Dutcher; Ivana Jevtic; Michael R Irwin; Naomi I Eisenberger Journal: Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci Date: 2015-06-17 Impact factor: 3.436
Authors: Naomi I Eisenberger; Mona Moieni; Tristen K Inagaki; Keely A Muscatell; Michael R Irwin Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2016-08-02 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: A K Jones; N D Kitchen; H Watabe; V J Cunningham; T Jones; S K Luthra; D G Thomas Journal: J Cereb Blood Flow Metab Date: 1999-07 Impact factor: 6.200
Authors: Elise M Weerts; Yu Kyeong Kim; Gary S Wand; Robert F Dannals; Jae Sung Lee; J James Frost; Mary E McCaul Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2007-05-09 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: Tristen K Inagaki; Lara A Ray; Michael R Irwin; Baldwin M Way; Naomi I Eisenberger Journal: Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci Date: 2016-01-21 Impact factor: 3.436