From ultrasocial to antisocial: a role for oxytocin in the acute reinforcing effects and long‐term adverse consequences of drug use?

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dc.contributor.authorMcGregor, ISen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCallaghan, PDen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHunt, GEen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2020-03-22T23:14:21Zen_AU
dc.date.available2020-03-22T23:14:21Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2009-01-29en_AU
dc.description.abstractAddictive drugs can profoundly affect social behaviour both acutely and in the long-term. Effects range from the artificial sociability imbued by various intoxicating agents to the depressed and socially withdrawn state frequently observed in chronic drug users. Understanding such effects is of great potential significance in addiction neurobiology. In this review we focus on the ‘social neuropeptide’ oxytocin and its possible role in acute and long-term effects of commonly used drugs. Oxytocin regulates social affiliation and social recognition in many species and modulates anxiety, mood and aggression. Recent evidence suggests that popular party drugs such as MDMA and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) may preferentially activate brain oxytocin systems to produce their characteristic prosocial and prosexual effects. Oxytocin interacts with the mesolimbic dopamine system to facilitate sexual and social behaviour, and this oxytocin-dopamine interaction may also influence the acquisition and expression of drug-seeking behaviour. An increasing body of evidence from animal models suggests that even brief exposure to drugs such as MDMA, cannabinoids, methamphetamine and phencyclidine can cause long lasting deficits in social behaviour. We discuss preliminary evidence that these adverse effects may reflect long-term neuroadaptations in brain oxytocin systems. Laboratory studies and preliminary clinical studies also indicate that raising brain oxytocin levels may ameliorate acute drug withdrawal symptoms. It is concluded that oxytocin may play an important, yet largely unexplored, role in drug addiction. Greater understanding of this role may ultimately lead to novel therapeutics for addiction that can improve mood and facilitate the recovery of persons with drug use disorders. © 2019 The British Pharmacological Societyen_AU
dc.identifier.citationMcGregor, I. S., Callaghan, P. D., & Hunt, G. E. (2008). From ultrasocial to antisocial: a role for oxytocin in the acute reinforcing effects and long‐term adverse consequences of drug use?. British Journal of Pharmacology, 154(2), 358-368. doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.131en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc8812en_AU
dc.identifier.issn007-1188en_AU
dc.identifier.issue2en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleBritish Journal of Pharmacologyen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination358-368en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1038/bjp.2008.132en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/9178en_AU
dc.identifier.volume154en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherThe British Pharmacological Societyen_AU
dc.subjectOxytocinen_AU
dc.subjectDrugsen_AU
dc.subjectBehavioren_AU
dc.subjectDopamineen_AU
dc.subjectNeurologyen_AU
dc.subjectSocial impacten_AU
dc.subjectDrug abuseen_AU
dc.subjectBrainen_AU
dc.titleFrom ultrasocial to antisocial: a role for oxytocin in the acute reinforcing effects and long‐term adverse consequences of drug use?en_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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