Adult Attachment System Links With Brain Mu Opioid Receptor Availability In Vivo

Secure attachment is important in maintaining an individual’s health and well-being. Attachment disturbances increase the risk for developing psychiatric disorders such as affective disorders. Yet, neurobiological correlates of human are poorly understood at neurotransmitter level. We investigated whether adult style linked to functioning opioid serotonergic systems brain. used positron emission tomography with radioligands [ 11 C]carfentanil C]MADAM quantify mu receptor ( n = 39) serotonin transporter 37) availability volunteers no current was determined according Dynamic-Maturational Model Adaptation structured Adult Interview. associated higher hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, prefrontal cortex when compared insecure (i.e., avoidant or ambivalent groups combined) attachment. In contrast, not availability. Our results provide preliminary vivo evidence that system may be involved neurocircuits individual differences behavior. The suggest variation individuals’ social relationships psychosocial well-being thus contributes morbidity.