Neural markers for recovery in cannabis withdrawal

Abstract

Aims: Acute administration of oxytocin in human subjects has been shown to promote prosocial behaviors such as trust, generosity, and cooperation. Prosocial behaviors stand in contrast to antisocial behavior such as aggression. Aggression is an enduring problematic social behavior often resulting in deleterious consequences to criminal justice and public health systems. Aggression is prominent in antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and exacerbated by the presence of a substance use disorder (SUD). The goal of this project is to investigate the acute effects of oxytocin (across three dose levels: 12IU, 24IU, and 48IU) on aggression in adult human subjects at high risk for aggression: those with ASPD and SUD. The hypothesis is that OT administration will decrease human aggressive behavior compared to placebo within this population. Methods: Subjects aggressive responding is measured via the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm (PSAP), a well-validated laboratory measure of aggression, using a within-subjects counterbalanced design. Results: Preliminary data suggest that aggressive responding has differential effects, based on subject’s baseline (pre-dose) level of aggressive responding. Specifically, subjects with low levels of baseline aggressive behavior showan increase in aggressive behavior at the 24IU dose followed by decreased responding at 48IU. To date, changes in aggressive behavior did not correspond with increased physiological arousal or mood. Conclusions: In our study aggressive responding under OT dose may vary based on baseline level of responding. Currently, the data suggests that subjectswith low levels of baseline aggressive behavior show an increase in aggressive behavior at the 24IU dose of OT. Whereas, subjects with high baseline aggressive responding showed no difference from baseline; suggesting a ceiling effect. Across subjects changes in aggressive behavior did not correspond with increased physiological arousal or mood. Financial support: R01 DA 16965 P50 DA 09262.