Researchers at UiO have tested a new device for delivering hormone treatments for mental illness through the nose. This method was found to deliver medicine to the brain with few side effects.
About one out of every hundred Norwegians develop schizophrenia or autism in the course of their lifetime. Moreover, at any one time some 20 000 people are receiving treatment for these problems. Many psychiatric disorders such as autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are characterised by poor social functioning.
Oxytocin is a hormone that influences social behaviour and has shown promise for the treatment of mental illness.
Researchers at UiO have now discovered that low doses of oxytocin may help patients with mental illness to better perceive social signals. As part of this project, they have collaborated with the company OptiNose, who have developed a new device designed to improve medicine delivery to the brain via the nose.
Regulates social behaviour
Oxytocin has historically been known to play a crucial role in child rearing as it facilitates pregnancy, birth, and the release of milk during nursing. Further, oxytocin helps regulate cardiac functions and fluid levels. More recent research has revealed the importance of oxytocin for social behaviour.
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide and was discovered in 1953. Peptides are a group of molecules that consist of a chain of amino acids. Amino acids are also known as the building blocks of proteins, which we find in all types of cells. Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus, which is the brain’s coordinating centre for the hormone system.
Medicine through the nose
Because of oxytocin’s role in social behaviour, researchers have explored the possibility of administering the hormone for the treatment of mental illness. As oxytocin is a relatively large molecule, it has trouble crossing the barrier between the brain and circulating blood. Thus, researchers have administered oxytocin to patients through the nose as this route offers a direct pathway to the brain that bypasses this barrier.
However, researchers have a poor understanding of how oxytocin reaches and affects the brain. The most effective dose for treatment has also received little research attention.
Professor Ole A. Andreassen and his research team have collaborated with OptiNose on a project that evaluated two different doses of oxytocin and on how they affect the way in which social signals are perceived.
Low doses work best
Sixteen healthy men received two different doses of oxytocin, along with placebo. Volunteers were also given an intravenous dose of oxytocin, for a comparison of the effects of oxytocin in circulating blood. The research showed that only those administered a low dose of oxytocin experienced an effect on how they perceived social signals.
Professor Ole A. Andreassen explains:
“The results show that intranasal administration, i.e. introducing oxytocin through the nose, affects the function of the brain.
As no effect was observed after intravenous treatment, this indicates that intranasally administered oxytocin travels directly to the brain, as we have long believed.
The fact that we have shown the efficacy of a low dose of oxytocin on social perception is even more important.
A dose that is lower, but that still influences behaviour, will entail a lower risk of affecting other regulatory systems in the body. Very high doses of oxytocin could, in fact, have the opposite effect on social behaviour.”
The scientists also discovered that individuals with larger nasal cavities had a stronger response to a low dose of oxytocin.
Breathing helps
OptiNose uses a new technology to distribute medicine to the brain, making use of the user’s breath to propel medicine deep into the nasal cavity.
Read more: Nasal spray device for mental illness
The Latest on: Oxytocin
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Oxytocin” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Oxytocin
- Delhi HC directs Chief Secretary to file future roadmap of 9 dairy colonies, issues directions for medical care of cattleson May 14, 2024 at 3:40 am
The Delhi High Court has issued several directions with regard to maintaining hygiene in dairy colonies to ensure medical care of cattle kept therein and for the use of spurious oxytocin and it has ...
- Delhi High Court Issues Directions To Maintain Hygiene In Dairies, Medical Care Of Cattleon May 14, 2024 at 3:01 am
The Delhi High Court has recently issued a slew of directions for maintaining hygiene in dairies in the national capital, to ensure medical care of cattle kept therein and for use of ...
- Factory Making Illegal Oxytocin Injections Busted In Delhi, Owner Arrestedon May 13, 2024 at 12:43 am
After the directives from the Delhi High Court to combat the use of spurious oxytocin in dairy colonies across the national capital recently, the city police and the Drug Control Department conducted ...
- Practical optimism can be learned. A psychiatrist explains how and why your well-being depends on iton May 11, 2024 at 1:59 am
Optimism is nature’s best-kept secrets. Optimists are healthier, wealthier, live longer, and are more successful in life, work, and relationships. But the best part of it—and probably the biggest ...
- Global Oxytocin Market Set to Soar, Projected to Reach US$ 164.9 Million by 2030on May 5, 2024 at 7:12 pm
The global oxytocin market is poised for significant expansion, with Future Market Insights forecasting a robust growth trajectory. By 2030, the global oxytocin market is anticipated to reach a ...
- Banned Oxytocin still used in Delhi dairies, High Court takes noteon May 3, 2024 at 6:37 pm
While hearing a plea over “rampant use of Oxytocin hormone in the dairy colonies” in the national capital, the Delhi High Court has now called for action against its spurious use in dairy colonies and ...
- Delhi Court Orders Action Against Spurious Oxytocin Use In Dairy Colonieson May 3, 2024 at 5:36 pm
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P.S. Arora ruled that administering Oxytocin without proper authorisation constitutes an offence under the relevant ...
- Using oxytocin in dairies is animal cruelty: High Courton May 3, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Asks police to identify sources of oxytocin production, packaging. The Delhi High Court on Friday ordered action against the use of spurious oxytocin ...
- Delhi High Court orders police action against oxytocin use on cattle in city dairieson May 3, 2024 at 11:42 am
Delhi High Court orders action against spurious oxytocin use on cattle in dairy colonies, citing animal cruelty and offence.
- Delhi HC Orders Action Against Spurious Oxytocin Use In Dairy Colonieson May 3, 2024 at 6:28 am
The Delhi High Court has issued directives to combat the use of spurious Oxytocin hormone in the dairy colonies across the na ...
via Bing News