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Overeating And Food Addiction In Major Depressive Disorder: Links To Peripheral Dopamine, Jessica Mills, Susan J. Thomas, Theresa A. Larkin, Chao Deng
Overeating And Food Addiction In Major Depressive Disorder: Links To Peripheral Dopamine, Jessica Mills, Susan J. Thomas, Theresa A. Larkin, Chao Deng
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
The concept of food addiction refers to addiction-like behaviours that develop in association with the intake of highly palatable foods. Previous research indicates that a high proportion of individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) meet the criteria for food addiction, and are also at an increased risk of weight gain and chronic disease. In the central nervous system, dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with reward salience and food intake, whereas peripheral dopamine is involved in sympathetic stress regulation, digestion and gastrointestinal motility. However, little research has examined relationships between peripheral dopamine, depressive symptoms and problematic eating behaviours in MDD. Biometrics, …
Cognitive Distortions In Relation To Plasma Cortisol And Oxytocin Levels In Major Depressive Disorder, Susan J. Thomas, Theresa A. Larkin
Cognitive Distortions In Relation To Plasma Cortisol And Oxytocin Levels In Major Depressive Disorder, Susan J. Thomas, Theresa A. Larkin
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
Negative thinking is prominent in major depressive disorder (MDD). Cognitive models propose that negative thinking influences the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and cortisol release. Oxytocin is also linked to MDD, social and affective processing, and stress buffering. Little research has examined direct relationships between negative cognitions, cortisol, and oxytocin. Methods: Sixty-one unmedicated participants meeting DSM-5 criteria for MDD and 60 healthy controls completed measures of psychopathology, stress, and cognitions. Plasma samples were analyzed for cortisol and oxytocin. Between-group analyses of variance were conducted along with correlational, regression and mediation analyses. Results: Depressed participants reported greater frequency and believability of negative thoughts than …