Oxytocin in Alcohol Use Disorder

Summary

Background: Oxytocin is a naturally occurring substance in the body. Studies show that oxytocin may affect how the body responds to alcohol. Researchers believe oxytocin may be a possible treatment for alcoholism. Objective: To test whether the hormone oxytocin affects the brain reward system. To see if it affects how people respond to alcohol and other rewarding things in life like food and seeing loved ones. Eligibility: Men ages 21-55 who have an alcohol use disorder. Design: Participants will have two 6-day inpatient study visits. They will have: * Study medication or placebo given twice daily as a nasal spray. * Height and weight measured. * Medical history. * Blood and urine tests. * Breath tested for alcohol. * Electrocardiogram. * An alcohol administration session. In a bar-like room, where participants will consume four alcoholic drinks. * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI scanner is a metal cylinder in a strong magnetic field. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the cylinder. A device called a coil will be placed over their head. Participants will complete tasks on a computer screen. * In another alcohol session. they will drink an alcoholic beverage then answer questions. Participants will get a tab for eight more drinks ($3.00 per drink). They may drink any of the drinks or take the money. Participants will hold and smell a glass of water and their favorite alcoholic drink. * Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored. * Saliva samples will be collected * Computer tasks and questionnaires. About one week after the end of visit 2, participants will return to clinic for a follow-up visit. Symptoms and side effects will be evaluated.

Timeline

Start

2016-03-08

Primary completion

2019-02-22

Completion

2019-02-22

Publications

• Background Pedersen CA, Smedley KL, Leserman J, Jarskog LF, Rau SW, Kampov-Polevoi A, Casey RL, Fender T, Garbutt JC. Intranasal oxytocin blocks alcohol withdrawal in human subjects. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2013 Mar;37(3):484-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01958.x. Epub 2012 Oct 1.
• Background McGregor IS, Bowen MT. Breaking the loop: oxytocin as a potential treatment for drug addiction. Horm Behav. 2012 Mar;61(3):331-9. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.12.001. Epub 2011 Dec 14.

Drugs

Indications