Targeting the oxytocin (OXT) peptide system has emerged as a promising new approach for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study examined the behavioral and molecular underpinnings of OXT receptor (OXTR) agonism in prairie voles, using intranasal (IN) OXT administration in socially housed males and females. IN OXT selectively inhibited alcohol drinking in males but not females. RAGE (Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products) assisted OXT brain penetration after IN, but not intraperitoneal (IP), administration. IP LIT-001, a small-molecule OXTR agonist, also inhibited alcohol intake in males, but not females. These findings support the promise of selectively targeting OXTR for individualized AUD treatment.
Publisher
Neuropsychopharmacology
Published On
Nov 11, 2022
Authors
Sheena Potretzke, Yangmiao Zhang, Ju Li, Kristopher M. Fecteau, David W. Erikson, Marcel Hibert, Andrey E. Ryabinin
Tags
oxytocin
alcohol use disorder
OXR agonism
prairie voles
gender differences
RAGE
behavioral neuroscience
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