Alcohol and oxytocin: Scrutinizing the relationship.

ABSTRACT: The initial enthusiasm towards oxytocin (OXT) as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder has been recently tempered by recognizing existing gaps in literature and the recent appearance of a relatively small number of clinical studies with negative outcomes. On the other hand, several new studies continue to support the OXT system's potential for such treatment. In this review, we thoroughly analyze existing literature assessing both alcohol's effects on the OXT system and OXT's effects on alcohol-related behaviors. Both rodent and clinical research is discussed. We identify areas that have been studied extensively and those that have been undeservingly understudied. OXT's potential effects on tolerance, withdrawal, craving, anxiety and social behaviors, and how these processes ultim

SUBMITTER: Ryabinin AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8289748 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature