Oxytocin's effects on opioid craving and relapse in males and females
Assessing the dose- and sex-dependent effects of oxytocin on opioid demand and reinstatement
This work looks at whether different doses of oxytocin can reduce craving for opioids and prevent relapse in males and females with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248017 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use rat models to measure how much effort animals will put forth to obtain intravenous oxycodone under different doses of oxytocin and whether oxytocin reduces relapse-like behavior when drug cues or triggers are reintroduced. The team will compare responses in males and females to identify dose- and sex-dependent effects. Behavioral economic methods will quantify drug demand and reinstatement procedures will model relapse. Results are intended to inform whether specific oxytocin doses and timing might be promising to test in future human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with opioid use disorder, especially those who have used prescription opioids like oxycodone and struggle with craving or relapse, would be most relevant for future clinical testing informed by this work.
Not a fit: People without opioid use disorder or whose relapse is driven mainly by factors unrelated to biological craving (for example, social instability or certain severe psychiatric conditions) may not benefit from oxytocin-based approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to oxytocin dosing strategies that help reduce opioid craving and lower the risk of relapse.
How similar studies have performed: Some animal studies and early clinical trials have reported that oxytocin can reduce drug craving and intake, but clinical results have been mixed and dose and sex effects remain unclear.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwendt, Marek — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Schwendt, Marek
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.