Empathic accuracy and oxytocin after tryptophan depletion in adults at risk for depression.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with disturbances in social functioning and in the brain serotonin system. Reduced levels of serotonin may negatively influence social functioning, for example by impairing the recognition of facial emotion expressions.

Objectives

The present study investigated the effect of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD), which reduces brain serotonin, on a related component of social functioning, empathic accuracy (EA), and oxytocin levels.

Methods

Individuals with (FH+) and without (FH−) a family history of MDD participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. On two separate test days, participants ingested tryptophan-deficient and nutritionally balanced amino acid mixtures. Six hours later, they performed

SUBMITTER: Hogenelst K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4700075 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature