CSF oxytocin and vasopressin levels after recovery from bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, bulimic subtype. |
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Authors: | G K Frank W H Kaye M Altemus C G Greeno |
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Affiliation: | Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, PA 15213, USA. |
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Abstract: | BACKGROUND: When ill, people with eating disorders have disturbances of the neuropeptides vasopressin and oxytocin. METHODS: To avoid the confounding effects of the ill state, we studied women who were recovered (more than 1 year, normal weight, and regular menstrual cycles, no bingeing or purging) from bulimia nervosa (rBN) or binge eating/purging-type anorexia nervosa (rAN-BN), and matched healthy control women. RESULTS: Vasopressin was elevated in rAN-BN and showed a trend towards elevation in rBN. In rBN, elevated cerebrospinal fluid vasopressin may be related to having a lifetime history of major depression. In comparison, cerebrospinal fluid oxytocin was normal in recovered subjects, but elevated levels in some rBN might be related to birth control pill use. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm and extend the possibility that elevated cerebrospinal fluid vasopressin may be related to the pathophysiology of eating disorders, and/or a lifetime history of major depression. |
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