CD 38 expression, attachment style and habituation of arousal in relation to trust-related oxytocin release

Imre Kiss, Einat Levy-Gigi, Szabolcs Kéri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Oxytocin plays an important role in human attachment, trust, social perception, memory, and fear regulation. Evidence suggests that CD38, a regulator of oxytocin release, may also be critical in these processes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of plasma oxytocin level measured after a task requiring intimate trust (secret sharing), modeling psychotherapeutic processes, and a neutral social interaction. Results revealed that peripheral CD38 expression positively predicted both trust-related and trust-unrelated oxytocin levels. In addition, habituation of arousal, as measured by skin conductance response, and attachment anxiety also emerged as predictors of oxytocin level in the trust-related condition. These results suggest that CD38 plays a general role in oxytocin secretion, whereas habituation of arousal and attachment anxiety are specifically related to situations involving intimate trust.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)223-226
Number of pages4
JournalBiological Psychology
Volume88
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2011
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The study was supported by the Hungarian Research Fund (OTKA NF72488 ).

Funding

The study was supported by the Hungarian Research Fund (OTKA NF72488 ).

FundersFunder number
Hungarian Scientific Research FundNF72488

    Keywords

    • Attachment
    • Autonomic arousal
    • CD38
    • Oxytocin
    • Skin conductance response
    • Trust

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