Oxytocin and Pain Sensitivity and Threshold

Northwestern University

Status: Withdrawn

Conditions: Pain

Treatments: Drug: Intranasal Oxytocin; Drug: Placebo (saline)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01988649

STU00086297

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy males and females volunteers
• English speaking
• Age <20 and > 35

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Allergy to preservatives
• Mental disease
• Chronic pain
• Current use of analgesics
• Anxiety or depression Drop Out: volunteer request

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

---

0 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Intranasal Oxytocin

Active Comparator group

Description:

Administration of 32 units of Oxytocin administered intranasally

Treatment:

Drug: Intranasal Oxytocin

Placebo (saline)

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Administration of 4 sprays intranasally of normal saline.

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo (saline)