The influence of affective empathy and autism spectrum traits on empathic accuracy

Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by interpersonal deficits and has been associated with limited cognitive empathy, which includes perspective taking, theory of mind, and empathic accuracy (EA). The capacity for affective empathy may also be impaired. In the present study we aimed to determine if EA in normally developing individuals with varying levels of autism spectrum traits is moderated by trait affective empathy. Fifty male and fifty female participants ('perceivers') completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient and the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale to assess autism spectrum traits and trait affective empathy, respectively. EA was assessed using a Dutch-language version of a previously developed task and involved rating the feelings of others ('targets') verbally recounting autobiographical emotional events. Targets varied in trait emotional expressivity, assessed using the Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire. Perceivers with more autism spectrum traits performed worse on the EA task, particularly when their trait affective empathy was relatively low. Interpersonal deficits in autism spectrum disorder may be partially explained by low cognitive empathy. Further, they might be aggravated by a limited capacity for affective empathy

Understanding the effects of sleep deprivation and acute social stress on cognitive performance using a comprehensive approach

Different professionals (e.g. in the military) have to perform cognitive challenging tasks in multi-stressor environments. However, our understanding how combined stressors interact and affect cognitive performance is limited (Van Dongen & Belenky, 2009). This study examined how sleep deprivation (SD) and acute social stress affect cognitive performance in isolation and in combination, and used a comprehensive approach to find evidence for a (shared) mechanism. Recent research suggests that SD leads to higher amounts of proinflammatory markers (i.e. cytokines) in the blood, which assumedly contribute to a decline in cognitive performance (Irwin, 2019; Shields et al., 2017). In addition, acute social stressors have also been shown to elicit an immune response, as reflected by circulating cytokines in blood (Marsland et al., 2017; Prather et al., 2014). These findings suggest that different stressors may affect cognitive performance through an effect on the immune system. We therefore hypothesize that individuals showing a high proinflammatory response to a combination of two stressors (SD and acute social stress) are more vulnerable to cognitive decline compared to individuals showing a lower proinflammatory response. To test this hypothesis, we measured not only cognitive performance, but also the physiological response and biochemical determinants of metabolism and inflammation at baseline and after SD, but also in response to an acute social stressor (Tkacheenko & Dinges, 2018)

Empathic accuracy and oxytocin after tryptophan depletion in adults at risk for depression

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Serotonin manipulations and social behavior: Studies in individuals at familial risk for depression

Interactions with others affect our mood, and vice versa. Unsurprisingly, people with a mood disorder such as depression often have difficulties in their social relationships. Depression is often thought to be associated with a decreased availability of serotonin, a signaling molecule in the brain which enables the processing of social and emotional information. Therefore a decreased availability of serotonin could also have an adverse effect on social behavior and mood during interactions with others. However, Hogenelst and colleagues showed that a temporary decrease of serotonin (over several hours) has little impact on mood or social behavior as measured in the lab. The results were similar in study participants with and without an elevated depression risk. In a second study in people with an elevated depression risk, the researchers increased the availability of serotonin over several days. They examined the effects on mood and social behavior in everyday life. As expected, mood improved. Unexpectedly, however, the participants also became less friendly. This behavioral effect was only seen during interactions at home. It is possible that, when serotonin availability was increased, participants stood up for themselves more. This in line with the idea that people prone to depression experience little control over their social lives. As most medications for depression aim to increase the availability of serotonin, an important next question is how these medications affect the social behavior of depressed people

Ambulatory measurement of cortisol: Where do we stand, and which way to follow?

Accumulating evidence supports the harmful effects of stress on health, including the development and progress of psychopathology (e.g. anxiety disorders), metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes type II), inflammatory disturbances, and cardiovascular disease. These harmful effects are often expressed as disturbances in cortisol levels, patterns, or responses. Unfortunately, at present, cortisol assessment is only performed in the laboratory. This hinders rapid quantification, let alone being determined by individuals themselves, with self-testing devices or sensors. More accurate and timely detection of cortisol may have important implications for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of stress-related disorders as well as for those suffering from adrenal insufficiencies. The present review provides an overview of the most promising and challenging technologies for cortisol measurement. An important first conclusion might be that almost all reviewed technologies were at the proof-of-concept stage, meaning it was premature to interpret the findings in light of regulatory requirements for in vitro diagnostics. Nevertheless, several promising proto-types, including electrochemical sensors with wearable potential, were found and are consequently discussed. Overall the findings suggest that with significant additional investments and research efforts in the coming years, accurate, rapid, and repeated cortisol assessment in everyday life can become reality