The Impact of Oxytocin on Food Intake and Emotion Recognition in Patients with Eating Disorders: A Double Blind Single Dose Within-Subject Cross-Over Design.

Kim YR, Eom JS, Yang JW, Kang J, Treasure J

PloS one24 Sept 2015Cited by 60 (Europe PMC)

PMID26402337PMCIDPMC4581668DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0137514PepBankPUB-26402337

Summary

Background and aimSocial difficulties and problems related to eating behaviour are common features of both anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). The aim of this study was to examine the impact of intranasal oxytocin on consummatory behaviour and emotional recognition in patients with AN and BN in comparison to healthy controls.MaterialsA total of 102 women, including 35 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 34 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 33 healthy university students of comparable age and intelligence, participated in a double-blind, single dose placebo-controlled cross-over study. A single dose of intranasal administration of oxytocin (40 IU) (or a placebo) was followed by an emotional recognition task and an apple juice drink. Food intake was then recorded for 24 hours post-test.ResultsOxytocin produced no significant change in appetite in the acute or 24 hours free living settings in healthy controls, whereas there was a decrease in calorie consumption over 24 hours in patients with BN. Oxytocin produced a small increase in emotion recognition sensitivity in healthy controls and in patients with BN, In patients with AN, oxytocin had no effect on emotion recognition sensitivity or on consummatory behaviour.ConclusionsThe impact of oxytocin on appetite and social cognition varied between people with AN and BN. A single dose of intranasal oxytocin decreased caloric intake over 24 hours in people with BN. People with BN showed enhanced emotional sensitivity under oxytocin condition similar to healthy controls. Those effects of oxytocin were not found in patients with AN.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov KCT00000716.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

6 results from studies that gave the peptide. 6 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with anorexia nervosa, a single dose of intranasal oxytocin had no effect on emotion recognition sensitivity.
In plain wordsIn women with anorexia nervosa, one nasal dose of oxytocin did not change emotion recognition compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeEmotion recognition sensitivity in anorexia nervosa
Study
n = 35
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In patients with AN, oxytocin had no effect on emotion recognition sensitivity or on consummatory behaviour.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 102 women, including 35 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 34 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 33 healthy university students of comparable age and intelligence, participated in a double-blind, single dose placebo-controlled cross-over study.
Summary · context
A single dose of intranasal administration of oxytocin (40 IU) (or a placebo) was followed by an emotional recognition task and an apple juice drink.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2640233705
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with anorexia nervosa, a single dose of intranasal oxytocin had no effect on consummatory behaviour.
In plain wordsIn women with anorexia nervosa, one nasal dose of oxytocin did not change eating behaviour compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeConsummatory behaviour in anorexia nervosa
Study
n = 35
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In patients with AN, oxytocin had no effect on emotion recognition sensitivity or on consummatory behaviour.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 102 women, including 35 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 34 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 33 healthy university students of comparable age and intelligence, participated in a double-blind, single dose placebo-controlled cross-over study.
Summary · context
A single dose of intranasal administration of oxytocin (40 IU) (or a placebo) was followed by an emotional recognition task and an apple juice drink.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2640233706
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with bulimia nervosa, a single dose of intranasal oxytocin decreased calorie consumption over 24 hours compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn women with bulimia nervosa, one nasal dose of oxytocin lowered calories eaten over 24 hours compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Decrease24-hour calorie consumption in bulimia nervosa
Study
n = 34
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
there was a decrease in calorie consumption over 24 hours in patients with BN.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A single dose of intranasal oxytocin decreased caloric intake over 24 hours in people with BN.
Summary · context
A total of 102 women, including 35 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 34 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 33 healthy university students of comparable age and intelligence, participated in a double-blind, single dose placebo-controlled cross-over study.
Summary · context
A single dose of intranasal administration of oxytocin (40 IU) (or a placebo) was followed by an emotional recognition task and an apple juice drink.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2640233702
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with bulimia nervosa, a single dose of intranasal oxytocin produced a small increase in emotion recognition sensitivity compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn women with bulimia nervosa, one nasal dose of oxytocin slightly improved emotion recognition compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseEmotion recognition sensitivity in bulimia nervosa
Study
n = 34
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin produced a small increase in emotion recognition sensitivity in healthy controls and in patients with BN
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 102 women, including 35 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 34 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 33 healthy university students of comparable age and intelligence, participated in a double-blind, single dose placebo-controlled cross-over study.
Summary · context
A single dose of intranasal administration of oxytocin (40 IU) (or a placebo) was followed by an emotional recognition task and an apple juice drink.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2640233704
05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy women, a single dose of intranasal oxytocin produced no significant change in appetite in the acute or 24-hour free-living settings.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, one nasal dose of oxytocin did not change appetite compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeAppetite, acute and 24-hour intake in healthy controls
Study
n = 33
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin produced no significant change in appetite in the acute or 24 hours free living settings in healthy controls
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 102 women, including 35 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 34 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 33 healthy university students of comparable age and intelligence, participated in a double-blind, single dose placebo-controlled cross-over study.
Summary · context
A single dose of intranasal administration of oxytocin (40 IU) (or a placebo) was followed by an emotional recognition task and an apple juice drink.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2640233701
06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy women, a single dose of intranasal oxytocin produced a small increase in emotion recognition sensitivity compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn healthy women, one nasal dose of oxytocin slightly improved emotion recognition compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseEmotion recognition sensitivity in healthy controls
Study
n = 33
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasal · single doseAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin produced a small increase in emotion recognition sensitivity in healthy controls and in patients with BN
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 102 women, including 35 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), 34 patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 33 healthy university students of comparable age and intelligence, participated in a double-blind, single dose placebo-controlled cross-over study.
Summary · context
A single dose of intranasal administration of oxytocin (40 IU) (or a placebo) was followed by an emotional recognition task and an apple juice drink.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2640233703

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:49 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

MeSH terms

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.