الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: There has been an explosion of research on the potential benefits of the social neuropeptide oxytocin for a number of mental disorders including substance use disorders. Personality traits and perceived childhood maltreatment are of the predictors and indications of development of substance use disorder. Many studies have discussed its effect on personality traits and relation with childhood trauma and how both affect the addictive process. Objectives: Evaluation of the possible difference in oxytocin basal level between heroin users and healthy controls and the potential association of it with the basic dimensions of personality traits and perceived childhood adverse experiences in heroin users. Methods: A sample of 40 heroin dependent patients who fully meet the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5) for heroin dependence, and 40 healthy control matched in age, sex were assessed and compared as regarding serum oxytocin level by ELISA, personality traits assessed using Temperament and character inventory- revised (TCI- R) scale, and childhood adverse events assessed using childhood trauma questionnaire and severity of addiction was assessed using Addiction Severity Index scale(ASI) for the heroin users only . Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the patient‘s group and the control group as regarding the serum oxytocin level: the control group had a higher level (139.9 pg/ml) and lower mean of oxytocin level among cases (68.6pg/ml) with p-value <0.001. There was a statistically significant negative correlation with p-value <0.05 between oxytocin level and each Novelty seeking, and Harm avoidance , in addition to a positive correlation between oxytocin level and each of reward dependence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness items of (TCR-R) , among cases. There was no statistical significant difference in oxytocin level with p-value >0.05 between different Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) items among cases. Conclusion: the interaction between serum oxytocin level, personality traits, childhood trauma should be considered when dealing with heroin dependent patients as they are affected and affected by heroin dependence. Key words: Oxytocin, Personality traits, Childhood Trauma and Heroin Addiction. |