Study of the Effects of Oxytocin on Attentional Bias and Startle in PTSD
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2021-06-09
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The investigators will test whether intranasal oxytocin (24 IU vs placebo) will induce
effects on attention bias and startle comparable to those the investigators have shown to be
induced by the presence (vs absence) of a service dog in Veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This
possibility is suggested by a 2015 study showing that urinary oxytocin levels are elevated in
association with mutual gaze between dogs and their owners.