Decreased oxytocin plasma levels and oxytocin receptor expression in borderline personality disorder

Abstract

ıaz-Mars a M, Leza JC. Decreased oxytocin plasma levels and oxytocin receptor expression in borderline personality disorder. Introduction: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by intense affective reactions with underlying social and interpersonal cognitive deficits. Oxytocin has largely been associated with both stress regulation and social cognition in psychiatric patients and in nonclinical populations in previous studies. Finally, abnormal oxytocin levels have been preliminary reported in BPD patients. Methods: 53 patients with moderate-severe BPD and 31 healthy control subjects were investigated for plasma levels of oxytocin and protein expression of oxytocin receptor in blood mononuclear cells. Clinical assessments were made for severity, functionality, and comorbidity with axis I and II conditions. Results: Oxytocin plasma levels were significantly lower in BPD patients compared with controls. In addition, protein expression of oxytocin receptor was significantly reduced in the BPD group. A positive correlation was found between plasma oxytocin levels and the activity index score of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ). Oxytocin receptor protein expression, on the contrary, had a negative correlation with the ZKPQ sociability index score. Conclusions: Results support the evidence of a dysfunction of the oxytocin system in borderline personality disorder, which could be involved in emotional dysregulation and interpersonal disturbances in these patients.

The Role of Impairments in Self–Other Distinction in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Narrative Review of Recent Evidence

“…Through its connections with the dopaminergic reward system, oxytocin is hypothesized to regulate attention to social cues by guiding the individual as to whom to align with, through signalling which social cues and interactions are rewarding and should be selectively attended to (Shamay-Tsoory and Abu-Akel, 2016). Impairments in the attachment system in BPD, as evidenced by high reports of attachment insecurity (Agrawal et al, 2004) and dysfunction of the oxytocin system (Carrasco et al, 2020), may leave BPD patients without a "filter" to allow them to decide which interactions are safe and rewarding to tune into. Indeed, the administration of intranasal oxytocin was found to normalize approach motivation (Domes et al, 2019) and approach-avoidance behaviour (Schneider et al, 2020) in response to socio-emotional cues in individuals with BPD.…”

The Relationship Between the Oxytocin Level and Rejection Sensitivity, Childhood Traumas, and Attachment Styles in Borderline Personality Disorder

“…Similarly, in another study, it was shown that there was a decrease in the plasma oxytocin levels in women diagnosed with BPD, and it was concluded that the dysregulation in the oxytocin system may be an important underlying factor for BPD. 9 Along these lines, in another study, it was shown that there was a decrease in the oxytocin levels as well as in oxytocin receptor protein expression in patients with BPD compared to the control group [ 17 , 18 ]. It has been reported that the low oxytocin levels may be a factor in the abnormal response given to stress and the bottom-up and top-down dysregulation of emotional systems, which is characteristic of BPD [ 19 ].…”

Role of Oxytocin in the Pathogenesis and Modulation of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Review

“…Not only are oxytocin levels lower in BPD, but the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) expression is decreased as well, showing the role of oxytocin and its receptor in this disorder [9]. It is important to not see OXTR from an angle of "diathesis-stress"; we should rather see it from an angle of "differential susceptibility" (also known as "plasticity").…”