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Study · Measured the body's own peptide · 2026

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Oxytocin dysfunction in severe mental illnesses following adverse childhood experiences: a systematic review.

Guo G, Naqvi SZF, Hanchate NK

BMC psychiatry22 Jun 2026

PMID42332629 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13628910 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1186/s12888-026-08279-4 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42332629
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Summary

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are recognized as a transdiagnostic risk factor for developing severe mental illnesses (SMIs), including schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), or bipolar disorder (BD). However, the specific associations and underlying mechanisms linking ACEs and SMIs remain unclear. In recent years, oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide known for its role in social bonding and stress regulation, has emerged as a crucial pathway linking SMIs and ACEs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SMIs among individuals with a history of childhood adversity and oxytocin dysregulation both at biochemical and genetic levels.MethodWe conducted a systematic review assessing OXT measurements or the role of OXT receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphisms in individuals with or without SMIs and a history of ACEs. A comprehensive search of four databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and PubMed) was undertaken, adhering to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and the review protocol was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42024555819. Comparisons were made between SMI groups and healthy controls (HCs). Data were extracted and appraised independently by two reviewers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Primary outcomes included group differences in ACE scores, a measure that reflects the type, quantity, and severity of childhood trauma. We also compared group differences in OXT levels, genotype frequencies of OXTR single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), thereby, exploring links between ACEs, OXT-OXTR signalling, and SMIs.ResultsOf 545 reports identified by the search, 14 studies with 5,624 participants met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (n = 13; 92.86%) reported that individuals with SMIs exhibited significantly higher ACE scores than HCs. Among the nine of fourteen studies that measured OXT levels, 66% (n = six of nine) reported lower OXT levels in SMIs irrespective of the subgroups, including in SCZ and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Several polymorphisms in OXTR were found to have a modulatory effect on SMI outcomes. A subset of SNPs conferred susceptibility, whereas others served as protective factors.ConclusionThis review highlights associations between OXT system and SMIs with a history of ACE.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study1

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured1

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

  1. 01HumanEndogenous levelSystematic reviewOther

    In a systematic review of people with severe mental illness and childhood adversity, six of nine studies that measured the body's own OXT reported lower levels than in healthy controls.

    In plain wordsIn a review, most studies that measured the body's own oxytocin found lower levels in people with severe mental illness than in healthy controls.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    DecreaseOxytocin levels in severe mental illness versus healthy controls
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Healthy controls
    Outcome group
    Endogenous peptide levels · Mental health and mood

    Measurements

    Studies reporting lower OXT
    66%
    nine studies that measured OXT

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Among the nine of fourteen studies that measured OXT levels, 66% (n = six of nine) reported lower OXT levels in SMIs irrespective of the subgroups, including in SCZ and borderline personality disorder (BPD).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Of 545 reports identified by the search, 14 studies with 5,624 participants met the inclusion criteria.

    This result measures the body's own Oxytocin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

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.

  1. Version 2Current

    11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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