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The Oxytocin Paradox: Miracle Cure or Extraordinary Hype?

A Course by Ralph Carson, LD, RD, PhD
  • Presenter: Ralph Carson, LD, RD, PhD
  • Price: $75
  • CME: 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • CE: 1.0 CE credit
  • Format: 1 hour video lecture
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Overview

There has been increasing interest in the role of oxytocin in the development, maintenance and pathophysiology eating disorders. Oxytocin alters neural pathways that exert prosocial effects and modulates trust, fear, depression, anxiety, trauma, and neuroplasticity. MRIs show that when OXT levels are low in anorexia and will result in hypoactivation of brain regions involved in motivation. Furthermore, research supports the hormone reduces unconscious tendencies to focus on food, body shape and negative emotions. This course explores the potential of exogenous and endogenous oxytocin to improve the outcomes of eating disorder treatment.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

  1. List five ways that oxytocin may be involved with the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa
  2. Discuss how oxytocin influences neurological pathways and alters activation of key areas of the brain responsible for sustaining anorectic behavior
  3. Illustrate how emotional information from the face, voice and body language are assessed to indicate trustworthiness
  4. Explain how the various variations of the oxytocin gene influence temperament
  5. Identify over a dozen behaviors and techniques identified to naturally increase one’s oxytocin levels.
  6. Argue whether or not oxytocin crosses the blood brain barrier and therapeutically influences one’s behavior and mental state
  7. Describe three ways oxytocin influences appetite and body weight
  8. Report on how touch influences oxytocin and cortisol levels in the blood.
  9. Propose how intranasal oxytocin products may be harmful and counterproductive in the treatment of anorexia nervosa

Accreditation Information

Please click to expand each section and view accreditation information.

• CME Information

DURATION OF ACTIVITY
June 20, 2022 through June 19, 2024

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of MedicusCME and Comprehensive Psychiatric Resources, Inc. MedicusCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

DESIGNATION STATEMENT: MedicusCME designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

OVERVIEW
Oxytocin is a hormone involved in social bonding. Some of the latest research suggests that oxytocin may have a role in mental health treatment, either by exogenous administration or techniques that increase endogenous levels.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Explain the physiology, emotional and social effects of oxytocin

  • Identify and describe the therapeutic potential of oxytocin in eating disorders and other mental health conditions

HOW TO CLAIM CREDIT
In order to receive AMA PRA Category 1 credit™, participants must do the following:

  • Read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures

  • Participate in the activity, review course content and learning strategies, resources and support materials provided

  • Complete the post-test and activity evaluation

  • Achieve a score of 80% or higher on the post-test

PLANNER CONTENT EXPERT
James Greenblatt, MD
Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Services
Walden Behavioral Care, Waltham, Massachusetts

Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
Tufts University School of Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts

FACULTY CONTENT EXPERT
Ralph Carson, CED-RD, RD, PhD
Senior Clinical and Research Advisor
Eating Recovery Center-Pathlight Mood and Anxiety
Clinical Nutritional Advisor
Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
MedicusCME requires instructors, planners, managers, and others in control of educational content to disclose all their financial relationships with ineligible companies over the previous 24 months. All identified financial relationships are thoroughly vetted and mitigated according to MedicusCME policy.

James Greenblatt, MD has disclosed a financial relationship with Pure Encapsulations and Jaymac Pharmaceuticals for his role as consultant.

All other planners and faculty, including MedicusCME planners and managers, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Any relevant financial relationships listed for planners or content contributors have been mitigated according to MedicusCME policies.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This activity is not supported by funds from an ACCME-defined ineligible company.

HIPPA COMPLIANCE ATTESTATION
In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), this educational activity, especially when utilizing patient cases for learning demonstration, will not include individually identifiable health information.

DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The planners of this activity do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

• CE Information

The CE Company is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The CE Company maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Course Level: Introductory
Learning Objectives

After completing this program, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the physiology, emotional and social effects of oxytocin
  • Identify and describe the therapeutic potential of oxytocin in eating disorders and other mental health conditions
CE Instructions

This online program provides CE training and coursework. Accreditation requires the completion of a post-test. A passing grade of at least 75% must be met on this test in order to obtain certification. Instructions for certification will be provided upon completing the course in full.

Instructor Bio

Ralph Carson, LD, RD, PhD is a clinical nutritionist and exercise physiologist with nearly 40 years of experience in the treatment of addictions, mood and anxiety disorders, sports nutrition and eating disorders. Prior to joining ERC Pathlight, Dr. Carson was the Executive Director of FitRx in Brentwood, Tennessee, an outpatient program for people of size struggling with both medical and psychological complications of binge eating. He is also a Clinical Nutritional Advisor to Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In addition to his successful clinical practice, Dr. Carson is committed to community education and teaching the next generation of healthcare professionals specializing in exercise therapy, sports nutrition, eating disorders and mood and anxiety. He was a faculty member of the University of Alabama at Huntsville for over 20 years, and previously nutritional advisor to numerous university athletic departments, and speaks regularly to professional and lay audiences alike. Dr. Carson is the author of two books “Harnessing the Healing Power of Fruit” and “The Brain Fix: What’s the Matter with Your Gray Matter”, and has published more than 20 articles. Additionally, Dr. Carson is an active board member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) and in 2018 received the IAEDP Lifetime Achievement Award for Nutrition. He is a previous board member of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA). Dr. Carson has earned multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science from Duke University; Bachelor of Health Science from Duke University Medical School; Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Oakwood College; and a Ph.D. in Nutrition from Auburn University.

Conflict of Interest

There is no known commercial interest or conflict of interest for this program.

View cancellation, grievance and accessibility policies.

About Ralph Carson, LD, RD, PhD

Dr. Carson has been involved in the clinical treatment of obesity, addictions, and eating disorders for over 40 years.  His unique background in health science and medicine, coupled with nutrition and exercise has prepared him to integrate neuropsychobiological intervention and proven psychotherapeutic treatment. He is an active board member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). He has authored several popular books on nutrition, lifestyle practices, good health and the brain: Harnessing the Healing Power of Fruits and the recently published The Brain Fix: What’s the Matter with Your Gray Matter? He is currently Vice President of Science and Innovation for the Eating Recovery Center’s CORE Program for weight management and binge-eating disorders in Denver, CO and consultant for the Pinegrove Behavioral Health and Addiction Center in Hattiesburg, MS.

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