Oxytocin and Pain Sensitivity and Threshold

Withdrawn before enrolling · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Pain

In brief

Oxytocin is neurohypophysial peptide that acts mainly as a neuromodulator in the brain. In addition,oxytocin have an important roles in sexual reproduction , in particular during and after childbirth. It facilitates birth, maternal bonding, and, breastfeeding. Nasal oxytocin has been commonly used to improve breastfeeding in lactating women. A review of safety , side effects and subjective reaction to intranasal oxytocin in human research in 1529 subjects did not review any differences from placebo. The vast majority of basic science studies suggested a large effect of oxytocin in minimizing acute pain.4 Few studies have demonstrated an association between plasma levels of oxytocin and pain in humans. No studies have examined the effect of intranasal oxytocin on pain sensitivity and threshold. Since addictive properties of oxytocin have not been described, the drug may have important application in the management of acute and chronic pain. The main objective of the current investigation was to evaluate the effect of intranasal oxytocin on pain sensitivity and threshold in human volunteers. We hypothesized that intranasal oxytocin, in human volunteers ,would decrease sensitivity and and increase pain threshold compared to intranasal saline . Significance: Intranasal oxytocin may become a viable treatment for acute and chronic pain in humans.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT01988649
Run by
Northwestern University
People needed
0
Starts
2015-04-01
Expected to finish
2015-07-01
Last updated by the study team
2017-02-08

Who can join

Age: 20 and older, up to 35. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

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You may not qualify if…

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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