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Behavioral Pharmacology of Neuropeptides: Oxytocin pp 269–287Cite as

The Multidimensional Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the Brain Oxytocin System for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

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Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 35))

Abstract

The neuropeptide oxytocin is released both into the blood and within the brain in response to reproductive stimuli, such as birth, suckling and sex, but also in response to social interaction and stressors. Substance use disorders, or addictions, are chronic, relapsing brain disorders and are one of the major causes of global burden of disease. Unfortunately, current treatment options for substance use disorders are extremely limited and a treatment breakthrough is sorely needed. There is mounting preclinical evidence that targeting the brain oxytocin system may provide that breakthrough. Substance use disorders are characterised by a viscous cycle of bingeing and intoxication, followed by withdrawal and negative affect, and finally preoccupation and anticipation that triggers relapse and further consumption. Administration of oxytocin has been shown to have a potential therapeutic benefit at each stage of this addiction cycle for numerous drugs of abuse. This multidimensional therapeutic utility is likely due to oxytocin’s interactions with key biological systems that underlie the development and maintenance of addiction. Only a few human trials of oxytocin in addicted populations have been completed with the results thus far being mixed. There are numerous other trials underway, and the results are eagerly awaited. However, the ability to fully harness the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting the brain oxytocin system may depend on the development of molecules that selectively stimulate the oxytocin system, but that have superior pharmacokinetic properties to oxytocin itself.

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Abbreviations

CPP:

Conditioned place preference

HPA:

Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal

ICV:

Intracerebroventricular

IP:

Intraperitoneal

OT:

Oxytocin

OTR:

Oxytocin receptor

OTRA:

Oxytocin receptor antagonist

PVN:

Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus

RCT:

Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

SC:

Subcutaneous

SON:

Supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a common travel grant from the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst and Group of Eight, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft grants to IDN, and an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship and project grant to MTB.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Michael T. Bowen

  2. Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Michael T. Bowen

  3. Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany

    Inga D. Neumann

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Correspondence to Inga D. Neumann .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Rene Hurlemann

  2. Schaller Research Group on Neuropeptides German Cancer Research Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, BW, Germany

    Valery Grinevich

  3. Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, BW, Germany

    Valery Grinevich

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Bowen, M.T., Neumann, I.D. (2017). The Multidimensional Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the Brain Oxytocin System for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. In: Hurlemann, R., Grinevich, V. (eds) Behavioral Pharmacology of Neuropeptides: Oxytocin. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 35. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2017_17

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