Boosting the oxytocin system in acute trauma victims at risk for PTSD: the rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Rationale : Currently, there are no effective interventions that prevent the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in recently traumatized individuals. The neuropeptide oxytocin is a potent regulator of two important processes disturbed in PTSD: it regulates physiological and behavioural stress and fear responses. In addition, oxytocin administration influences socio-emotional processes. Interestingly, high levels of acute distress after trauma and a lack of social support are risk factors for developing PTSD. Therefore, oxytocin administration appears to be a promising preventive treatment for PTSD, by hypothetically ameliorating dysregulated stress and fear responses as well as facilitating adaptive social functioning. Methods : We have initiated a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effectiveness of an intranasal oxytocin treatment regimen in preventing the development of PTSD in recently traumatized individuals at increased risk for PTSD. In addition, in the same population we are conducting an fMRI study, which will create deeper insights into the neural mechanisms through which oxytocin and social context may regulate fear responses to traumatic stress. Results : In this presentation, the rationale behind stimulation of the oxytocin system in recently trauma-exposed individuals at risk for PTSD will be discussed, and an outline of the RCT will be presented. In addition, preliminary pilot data of the RCT will be shown.

Keywords

• PTSD
• traumatic stress
• oxytocin
• RCT
• fMRI
• social support