Document Type
STEM
Date
2024
Submission Date
February 2024
Abstract
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a notable public health concern, affecting a significant proportion of girls in high-income countries. A considerable number of CSA survivors develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by adolescence, which is often considered to be a lifelong disorder with severe emotional and social consequences. Women with CSA-related PTSD display hypervigilance, which is characterized by significantly increased fear network activity and poor top-down control over the amygdala. This meta-analysis examines the potential of intranasal oxytocin (OT) as a treatment for hypervigilance symptoms in women with CSA-related PTSD. The evidence reviewed suggests that intranasal oxytocin can help normalize the aberrant connectivity between the amygdala and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, which is associated with increased fear network activity and hypervigilance in these individuals. By targeting these physiological changes, intranasal oxytocin has the potential to improve the effectiveness of psychotherapy for PTSD in women with a history of childhood sexual abuse. However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the potential of intranasal oxytocin as a treatment for CSA-related PTSD and to determine the optimal dose and administration method.
Rights
© The Author(s)
Is Part Of
Auctus
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25886/ssea-c013