In the current study this hypothesis will be tested by examining whether blood serotonin levels, which are indicative of central serotonin levels, differ between infatuated and non-infatuated individuals. Furthermore, it will be investigated whether…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
verliefdheid
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Serotonin (5-HT) levels in the blood and self-reported amount of intrusive
thinking about the beloved.
Secondary outcome
Also 5-HIAA levels in the blood will be measured. Morever, it will be
investigated whether correlations exists between blood serotonin levels and
measures of intensity and duration of the romantic love. Furthermore, if the
participants agree, their blood plasma and serum will be stored in the freezer
for future additional measurements of 5-HT in serum and blood platelets, as
well as tryptophan and tyrosine levels.
Background summary
Infatuated individuals think about their beloved a lot. The notions that these
frequent thoughts resemble the obsessions of obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD) patients and that those patients benefit from serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs), have led to the hypothesis that romantic love is
accompanied by reduced levels of serotonin in the brain.
Study objective
In the current study this hypothesis will be tested by examining whether blood
serotonin levels, which are indicative of central serotonin levels, differ
between infatuated and non-infatuated individuals. Furthermore, it will be
investigated whether these serotonin measure are associated with the extent of
obsessive thinking about the beloved.
Study design
Between-subject, observational study
Study burden and risks
Participants have to visit the Erasmus MC once. The duration of the testing
session will be approximately 30 minutes. The infatuated participants will fill
out four questionnaires, and the non-infatuated participants will fill out two
questionnaires. Following one venapunction, in which two tubes (approximately
14 ml) of blood will be drawn, will be performed.
Postbus 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Nederland
Postbus 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Nederland
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
between 18 and 30 years old
maximal love duration of 6 months (for infatuated group)
not in love and not involved in romantic relationship (non-infatuated group)
Exclusion criteria
Depression, hypercholesterolemia, or hypertensia
Use of antidepressants, statins or anti-hypertensives
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL23865.078.08 |