title: The neurocircuitry involved in oxytocin modulation of methamphetamine addiction.
abstract: The role of oxytocin in attenuating the abuse of licit and illicit drugs, including the psychostimulant methamphetamine, has been examined with increased ferocity in recent years. This is largely driven by the potential application of oxytocin as a pharmacotherapy. However, the neural mechanisms by which oxytocin modulates methamphetamine abuse are not well understood. Recent research identified an important role for the accumbens core and subthalamic nucleus in this process, which likely involves an interaction with dopamine, glutamate, GABA, and vasopressin. In addition to providing an overview of methamphetamine, the endogenous oxytocin system, and the effects of exogenous oxytocin on drug abuse, we propose a neural circuit through which exogenous oxytocin modulates methamphetamine abuse, focusing on its interaction with neurochemicals within the accumbens core and subthalamic nucleus. A growing understanding of exogenous oxytocin effects at a neurochemical and neurobiological level will assist in its evaluation as a pharmacotherapy for drug addiction.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia. Electronic address: sarah.baracz@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Baracz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia. Electronic address: Jennifer.cornish@mq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cornish
mesh_terms: D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine; D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: Addiction; Methamphetamine; Nucleus accumbens core; Oxytocin; Subthalamic nucleus