Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Pain, Oxytocin
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
DRUGPlacebo (saline)
Administration of normal saline intranasally.
DRUGIntranasal Oxytocin
Administration of intranasal Oxytocin
Sponsors
Northwestern University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain sensitivity and threshold | 120 minutes | Pain sensitivity and threshold using the MEDoc device. Mechanical and thermal pain test will be performed at baseline, before drug administration, at 45 minutes and at 90 minutes. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Side effects of Oxytocin | 2 Hours | Side effects including running nose, nasal irritation, tears in the eyes. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed