title: Association between Blood Level of Plasma Oxytocin and Novelty Seeking among Methadone-Maintained Heroin Users.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxytocin interacts with the dopaminergic system, which plays a role in addiction behaviors. The association between oxytocin and addiction was confirmed in animal studies. Novelty seeking is one of the predictors and indicators of drug addiction. The aim of the present study was to probe the association between oxytocin and novelty seeking.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in a methadone maintenance therapy clinic of a medical center in Taiwan; 77 patients with heroin dependency were enrolled. Plasma oxytocin was measured using an ELISA kit. Novelty seeking was measured using an established instrument (the novelty seeking subscale of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant negative association (ρ = -0.27, p = 0.02; r = -0.34, p = 0.003) between the blood level of plasma oxytocin and novelty seeking was found. This association was significant after controlling the effects of perceived social support and the dosage of methadone (r = -0.32, p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The negative association between oxytocin and novelty seeking may provide insight into future treatments for addiction. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Shih-Hsien
authors: SH
authors: Lin
authors: Lan-Ting
authors: LT
authors: Lee
authors: Hsin Chun
authors: HC
authors: Tsai
authors: Kao Chin
authors: KC
authors: Chen
authors: Wei Tseng
authors: WT
authors: Chen
authors: I Hui
authors: IH
authors: Lee
authors: Ru-Band
authors: RB
authors: Lu
authors: Po See
authors: PS
authors: Chen
authors: Yen Kuang
authors: YK
authors: Yang