Oxytocin and elderly MRI-based hippocampus and amygdala volume: a 7-year follow-up study

Abstract

Oxytocin is deeply involved in human relations. In recent years, it is becoming clear that oxytocin is also involved in social cognition and social behaviour. Oxytocin receptors are also thought to be present in the hippocampus and amygdala, and the relationship between oxytocin and the structure and function of the hippocampus and amygdala has been reported. However, a few studies have investigated oxytocin and its relationship to hippocampus and amygdala volume in elderly people. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between serum oxytocin levels and hippocampus and amygdala volume in elderly people. The survey was conducted twice in Kurokawa-cho, Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan, among people aged 65 years and older. We collected data from 596 residents. Serum oxytocin level measurements, brain MRI, Mini-Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating were performed in Time 1 (2009-11). Follow-up brain MRI, Mini-Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating were performed in Time 2 (2016-17). The interval between Time 1 and Time 2 was about 7 years. Fifty-eight participants (14 men, mean age 72.36 ± 3.41 years, oxytocin 0.042 ± 0.052 ng/ml; 44 women, mean age 73.07 ± 4.38 years, oxytocin 0.123 ± 0.130 ng/ml) completed this study. We analysed the correlation between serum oxytocin levels (Time 1) and brain volume (Time 1, Time 2 and Times 1-2 difference) using voxel-based morphometry implemented with Statistical Parametric Mapping. Analysis at the cluster level (family-wise error; P < 0.05) showed a positive correlation between serum oxytocin levels (Time 1) and brain volume of the region containing the left hippocampus and amygdala (Time 2). This result suggests that oxytocin in people aged 65 years and older may be associated with aging-related changes in hippocampus and amygdala volume.

Keywords: MRI; amygdala; cognitive function; hippocampus; oxytocin.

Graphical Abstract

Figure 1

Flow chart for determining the final sample.

Figure 2

Voxel-based morphometry findings. Positive correlation between serum oxytocin levels (Time 1) and brain volume (Time 2) shown by multiple regression. The significant cluster (cluster size, 1225 voxels) containing the left hippocampus (coordinates −38, −12, −9) and the left amygdala (coordinates −29, 2, −9) is shown in (A) whole brain images and (B) axial images. T value applies to (B) axial images.

Figure 3

Correlation between serum oxytocin levels and voxel values. Scatterplot of serum oxytocin levels (Time 1) and voxel values (Time 2) of the region containing the left hippocampus and amygdala. (A) The left hippocampus (coordinates −38, −12, −9) and (B) the left amygdala (coordinates −29, 2, −9). Serum oxytocin levels and voxel values were adjusted during the analysis. Fitted value = the voxel value − (the averaged voxel value + the error). Plus error = the voxel value − the averaged voxel value.