Alcohol Use DisordersPhase 1NCT02058251
Oxytocin Suppresses Substance Use Disorders Associated With Chronic Stress
A Phase 1 study testing Oxytocin in people with Alcohol Use Disorders, run by Medical University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
In comparison to the general population, military personnel and veterans are at increased risk of developing both substance use disorders (SUDs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Alcohol Use Disorders
- What is being tested?
- Oxytocin
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 73 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Feb 2014to Apr 2017
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Male or female; any race or ethnicity; age 21-65 years.
- Female subjects will be required to complete the laboratory testing during the early to mid-follicular phase of their menstrual cycle (days 1-7 following the onset of menses).
- Veteran of the US military; any service branch.
- Able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of the assessment instruments.
- Subjects must be able to comprehend English.
- Meet DSM-5 criteria for a current alcohol use disorder (assessed via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview; MINI). Note that we will use the currently available diagnostic measure (MINI for DSM-IV) and will make appropriate modifications to update for compatibility with DSM-5.
Show all 12Show fewer
- Meet DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD (assessed via the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale; CAPS). Note that we will use the currently available assessment instrument (CAPS for DSM-IV), and will make appropriate modifications to update for compatibility with DSM-5.
- A CAPS score of 50 or greater.
- Subjects will be required to have at least 5 days of abstinence from alcohol or other substances (except caffeine or nicotine) prior to completing the laboratory testing, as verified by multiple methods including self-report, breathalyzer tests, and urine drug screen tests.
- Subjects may also meet criteria for a mood disorder (except bipolar affective disorder, see Exclusion Criteria) or anxiety disorders (e.g., agoraphobia, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder). The inclusion of subjects with affective and anxiety disorders is essential because of the marked frequency of the co-existence of mood and other anxiety disorders among patients with PTSD and alcohol use disorders.
- Subjects taking psychotropic medications will be required to be maintained on a stable dose for at least eight weeks before study initiation. This is because initiation or change of psychotropic medications during the course of the trial may interfere with interpretation of results.
- Must consent to random assignment to oxytocin or placebo.
Who cannot join
- Subjects meeting DSM-5 criteria for a history of or current psychotic or bipolar affective disorders, or with current suicidal or homicidal ideation and intent. Those subjects will be referred clinically.
- Subjects who would present a serious suicide risk or who are likely to require hospitalization during the course of the study. Those subjects will be referred clinically.
- Subjects on maintenance anxiolytic, antidepressant, or mood stabilizing medications, which have been initiated during the past 8 weeks.
- Subjects with a history of a major medical illness (e.g., endocrine, cardiovascular, central nervous system disorders, peripheral neuropathy, or pulmonary disease) or other acute or unstable medical condition that might interfere with safe conduct of the study or accurate interpretation of the results.
- Subjects meeting DSM-5 criteria for another substance use disorder, except caffeine or nicotine, within the past 12 months.
- Subjects experiencing withdrawal symptoms, as evidence by a score of 10 or above on the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol (CIWA)
- Females who are unable or unwilling to be scheduled for lab testing during the early to mid-follicular phase of their menstrual cycle.
- Pregnant women will be excluded from the proposed study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425
About this study
In comparison to the general population, military personnel and veterans are at increased risk of developing both substance use disorders (SUDs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite promising developments in the past decade, the treatment of patients with SUDs and comorbid PTSD is woefully inadequate (Back, 2010; Back et al., 2014; Brady et al., 2007; McCauley et al., 2012). One of the adverse effects of abused drugs is their long-term negative impact on social behavior that is thought to involve oxytocin (OT) dysregulation (McGregor et al., 2008). In preclinical and clinical experiments, local, intra-nasal, or systemic OT administration decreases activation of the amygdala in response to visual fearful/threatening stimuli (Kirsch et al., 2005), ameliorates the effects of stressful events, and decreases drug-taking and seeking behavior (McGregor et al., 2008; Baskerville and Douglas, 2010; Carson et al., 2010a; Bowen et al., 2011; Cox et al 2013). However, little attention has been focused on whether OT decreases SUD vulnerability after exposure to traumatic stress in preclinical or clinical studies. This clinical project will determine whether intra-nasally administered OT will decrease craving (Aim 1) to use alcohol and decrease stress reactivity (Aim 2) following exposure to laboratory-induced stress (Trier Social Stress Task) among veterans with a dual diagnosis of alcohol use disorder and PTSD.
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorders
- Being tested
- Oxytocin, Placebo
- Keywords
- Alcohol, Oxytocin, Stress reactivity
- Medical subject headings
- Alcoholism
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
OxytocinDrug
One 40 IU dose of intranasal oxytocin will be self-administered (5 puffs in each nostril) by participants.
PlaceboDrug
Each participant will self-administer a 40 IU dose of intranasal saline.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Oxytocin | Experimental | Each participant will self-administer a 40 IU dose of intranasal oxytocin. Receives: Drug: Oxytocin |
| Control | Placebo comparator | Each participant will self-administer a 40 IU dose of intranasal saline. Receives: Drug: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Alcohol Craving
Using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), participants provided self-report ratings of subjective alcohol cravings on a scale of 1-10, with one being the lowest/better score, and 10 being the highest/worst outcome.
Measured: 2 hours
Secondary outcomes (1)
Stress Reactivity
Salivary Cortisol (μg/dL). Greater cortisol levels are indicative of greater stress reactivity.
Measured: 2 hours
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Feb 2014 (estimated)
- Study startFeb 2014
- Primary completionJan 2017
- Study completionApr 2017
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Alcohol Use DisordersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Medical University of South CarolinaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 73 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Sudie E. Back, Ph.D., Principal investigator, Medical University of South Carolina
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02058251
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 018127-002 Seq. 1
- Status last verified
- Dec 2018
- First submitted
- 6 Feb 2014
- Last updated
- 14 Mar 2019
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Melkonian AJ, Flanagan JC, Calhoun CD, Hogan JN, Back SE. Craving Moderates the Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Anger in Response to Social Stress Among Veterans With Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2021 Jul-Aug 01;41(4):465-469. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001434.
PubMed 34121063Flanagan JC, Allan NP, Calhoun CD, Badour CL, Moran-Santa Maria M, Brady KT, Back SE. Effects of oxytocin on stress reactivity and craving in veterans with co-occurring PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2019 Feb;27(1):45-54. doi: 10.1037/pha0000232. Epub 2018 Nov 1.
PubMed 30382728
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Mar 2019. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Oxytocin Suppresses Substance Use Disorders Associated With Chronic Stress
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02058251
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 018127-002 Seq. 1
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorders
- Keywords
- Alcohol, Oxytocin, Stress reactivity
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 73 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of South CarolinaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Feb 2014
- Primary completion
- Jan 2017 (actual)
- Study completion
- Apr 2017 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Feb 2014 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 14 Mar 2019
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In comparison to the general population, military personnel and veterans are at increased risk of developing both substance use disorders (SUDs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite promising developments in the past decade, the treatment of patients with SUDs and comorbid PTSD is woefully inadequate (Back, 2010; Back et al., 2014; Brady et al., 2007; McCauley et al., 2012). One of the adverse effects of abused drugs is their long-term negative impact on social behavior that is thought to involve oxytocin (OT) dysregulation (McGregor et al., 2008). In preclinical and clinical experiments, local, intra-nasal, or systemic OT administration decreases activation of the amygdala in response to visual fearful/threatening stimuli (Kirsch et al., 2005), ameliorates the effects of stressful events, and decreases drug-taking and seeking behavior (McGregor et al., 2008; Baskerville and Douglas, 2010; Carson et al., 2010a; Bowen et al., 2011; Cox et al 2013). However, little attention has been focused on whether OT decreases SUD vulnerability after exposure to traumatic stress in preclinical or clinical studies. This clinical project will determine whether intra-nasally administered OT will decrease craving (Aim 1) to use alcohol and decrease stress reactivity (Aim 2) following exposure to laboratory-induced stress (Trier Social Stress Task) among veterans with a dual diagnosis of alcohol use disorder and PTSD.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Oxytocin | Experimental | Drug: OxytocinEach participant will self-administer a 40 IU dose of intranasal oxytocin. |
| Control | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboEach participant will self-administer a 40 IU dose of intranasal saline. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Male or female; any race or ethnicity; age 21-65 years.
- Female subjects will be required to complete the laboratory testing during the early to mid-follicular phase of their menstrual cycle (days 1-7 following the onset of menses).
- Veteran of the US military; any service branch.
- Able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of the assessment instruments.
- Subjects must be able to comprehend English.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Subjects meeting DSM-5 criteria for a history of or current psychotic or bipolar affective disorders, or with current suicidal or homicidal ideation and intent. Those subjects will be referred clinically.
- Subjects who would present a serious suicide risk or who are likely to require hospitalization during the course of the study. Those subjects will be referred clinically.
- Subjects on maintenance anxiolytic, antidepressant, or mood stabilizing medications, which have been initiated during the past 8 weeks.
- Subjects with a history of a major medical illness (e.g., endocrine, cardiovascular, central nervous system disorders, peripheral neuropathy, or pulmonary disease) or other acute or unstable medical condition that might interfere with safe conduct of the study or accurate interpretation of the results.
- Subjects meeting DSM-5 criteria for another substance use disorder, except caffeine or nicotine, within the past 12 months.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| OxytocinOne 40 IU dose of intranasal oxytocin will be self-administered (5 puffs in each nostril) by participants. | Drug | Oxytocin |
| PlaceboEach participant will self-administer a 40 IU dose of intranasal saline. | Drug | Control |
Primary outcome
Alcohol Craving
Time frame: 2 hours
Using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), participants provided self-report ratings of subjective alcohol cravings on a scale of 1-10, with one being the lowest/better score, and 10 being the highest/worst outcome.
1 secondary outcome
Stress Reactivity
Time frame: 2 hours
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Mar 2019.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 34121063Melkonian AJ, Flanagan JC, Calhoun CD, Hogan JN, Back SE. Craving Moderates the Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Anger in Response to Social Stress Among Veterans With Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2021 Jul-Aug 01;41(4):465-469. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001434.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 30382728Flanagan JC, Allan NP, Calhoun CD, Badour CL, Moran-Santa Maria M, Brady KT, Back SE. Effects of oxytocin on stress reactivity and craving in veterans with co-occurring PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2019 Feb;27(1):45-54. doi: 10.1037/pha0000232. Epub 2018 Nov 1.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Sudie E. Back, Ph.D. principal investigator
Medical University of South Carolina
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing Oxytocin in people with Alcohol Use Disorders, run by Medical University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 12 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Mar 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 14 Mar 2019). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Alcohol Craving (time frame: 2 hours). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02058251, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Mar 2019; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.