Intranasal oxytocin in obsessive-compulsive disorder

M Ansseau, JJ Legros, C Mormont… - …, 1987 - Elsevier
M Ansseau, JJ Legros, C Mormont, JL Cerfontaine, P Papart, V Geenen, F Adam, G Franck
Psychoneuroendocrinology, 1987Elsevier
A 55-year patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder showed clear improvement during 4
weeks of treatment with intranasal oxytocin compared to 4 weeks of intranasal placebo. This
improvement was concurrent with the development of severe memory disturbances,
supporting the amnestic properties of the peptide. However, the patient also developed
psychotic symptoms and a marked decrease in plasma sodium and osmolality, which may
have masked the obsessive symptomatology. This case highlights the need for careful …
A 55-year patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder showed clear improvement during 4 weeks of treatment with intranasal oxytocin compared to 4 weeks of intranasal placebo. This improvement was concurrent with the development of severe memory disturbances, supporting the amnestic properties of the peptide. However, the patient also developed psychotic symptoms and a marked decrease in plasma sodium and osmolality, which may have masked the obsessive symptomatology. This case highlights the need for careful monitoring in long-term oxytocin therapy.
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