Anxiolytic-like effect of oxytocin in the simulated public speaking test

Autor(es)

de Oliveira, Danielle C. G. ^[1] ; Zuardi, Antonio W. ^{[1, 2]} ; Graeff, Frederico G. ^[1] ; Queiroz, Regina H. C. ^{[3, 2]} ; Crippa, Jose A. S. ^{[1, 2]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Div Psychiat, Dept Neurosci & Behav, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] CNPq, Natl Sci & Technol Inst INCT Translat Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Dept Clin Toxicol & Bromatol Anal, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY; v. 26, n. 4, p. 497-504, APR 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 64

Resumo

Oxytocin (OT) is known to be involved in anxiety, as well as cardiovascular and hormonal regulation. The objective of this study was to assess the acute effect of intranasally administered OT on subjective states, as well as cardiovascular and endocrine parameters, in healthy volunteers (n = 14) performing a simulated public speaking test. OT or placebo was administered intranasally 50 min before the test. Assessments were made across time during the experimental session: (1) baseline (-30 min); (2) pre-test (-15 min); (3) anticipation of the speech (50 min); (4) during the speech (1:03 h), post-test time 1 (1:26 h), and post-test time 2 (1:46 h). Subjective states were evaluated by self-assessment scales. Cortisol serum and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were measured. Additionally, heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance, and the number of spontaneous fluctuations in skin conductance were measured. Compared with placebo, OT reduced the Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) anxiety index during the pre-test phase only, while increasing sedation at the pre-test, anticipation, and speech phases. OT also lowered the skin conductance level at the pre-test, anticipation, speech, and post-test 2 phases. Other parameters evaluated were not significantly affected by OT. The present results show that OT reduces anticipatory anxiety, but does not affect public speaking fear, suggesting that this hormone has anxiolytic properties. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 02/13197-2 - Participação do glutamato e óxido nítrico na fisiopatogenia de distúrbios neuropsiquiátricos
• Beneficiário: Francisco Silveira Guimaraes
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático