Effects of Social Loss and Oxytocin Signaling on Depression and Suicidal Ideation in War Veterans Pubblico

Gallin, Camilla (Spring 2019)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/kd17ct876?locale=it
Published

Abstract

There has recently been a disproportionately high rate of suicide among war veterans relative to the civilian population, with a lack of consensus as to the specific reason for this epidemic. Returning war veterans may suffer a lack of social connectedness and emotional support, which can negatively impact mental health. Research has implicated oxytocin (OT) in social bonding, and specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), rs53576 and rs2254298, have been suggested to influence prosocial and empathetic traits in humans. In this study, we examine the effects of social loss and oxytocin signaling on depression and suicidal ideation in returning male war veterans. Subjects (n=82) completed the Mini-International Neuropschiatric Interview, Sixth edition (M.I.N.I. 6.0), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Columbia-Suicide Severity Risk Scale (C-SSRS) Military Version, Social Connectedness Scale (SCS), Postdeployment Social Support Scale (PDSS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI). Subjects (n=54) also provided biological samples (blood, saliva, and urine) for plasma OT assessments and SNP genotyping. Results indicate that subjects with low social connectedness and low post-deployment social support report higher levels of depression, after controlling for PTSD symptomology and sleep quality. Subjects reporting feelings of low post-deployment social support also reported higher levels of suicidal ideation. There was no significant effect of rs53576 or rs2254298 genotype on social connectedness, depression, or suicidal ideation. However, the genotype frequencies of rs53576 in our study population differed significantly from those in a genomic database, suggesting that this study may have attracted participants with increased social sensitivity. These results identify factors that lead to depression and suicidal ideation in war veterans, which can be useful for refining preventative treatments following service. 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..……………1

Methods………………………………………………………………………………………….....11

Results…………………………………………………………………………………………....…13

Discussion………………………………………………………………………………….....…...20

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………......….30

Literature Cited…………………………………………………………………………..…….…32

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