The Effects of Oxytocin on Startle Hyperreactivity in Patients With AUD and PTSD
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-02-28
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study will investigate the effects of oxytocin on alcohol-related behaviors, social
abilities, and physiological startle responses in healthy individuals and patients with
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) using a randomized,
placebo-controlled, dose-tiered, between-subject study design. Specifically, the
investigators will determine if intranasal administration of a single dose of the pro-social
neuropeptide oxytocin decreases alcohol-related approach bias and cravings, enhances social
abilities, and decreases physiological hyperactivity. The investigators will also determine
the optimal dose to achieve these effects and will explore psychosocial predictors of
responses to oxytocin. The proposed work has the potential to yield a novel pharmacological
treatment for AUD and PTSD, both leading causes of disability in the US Military for which
currently available treatments are inadequate.