The influence of oxytocin-based interventions on sleep-wake and sleep-related behaviour and neurobiology: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies

Joel S. Raymond, Simone Rehn, Camilla M. Hoyos, Michael T. Bowen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The oxytocin (OXT) system has garnered considerable interest due to its influence on diverse behaviours. However, scant research has considered the influence of oxytocin on sleep-wake and sleep-related behaviour and neurobiology. Consequently, the objective of this systematic review was to assess the extant preclinical and clinical evidence for the influence of oxytocin-based interventions on sleep-wake outcomes. The primary search was conducted on 22/7/2020 using six electronic databases; 30 studies (19 preclinical, 11 clinical) were included based on inclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated for risk of bias using the SYRCLE tool and the Cochrane risk of bias tools for preclinical and clinical studies, respectively. Results indicated manipulation of the OXT system can influence sleep-wake outcomes. Preclinical evidence suggests a wake-promoting influence of OXT system activation whereas the clinical evidence suggests little or no sleep-promoting influence of OXT. OXT dose was identified as a likely modulatory factor of OXT-induced effects on sleep-wake behaviour. Future studies are necessary to validate and strengthen these tentative conclusions about the influence of OXT on sleep-wake behaviour.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1005-1026
Number of pages22
JournalNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume131
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • NREM sleep
  • Oxytocin
  • REM sleep
  • Sleep
  • Sleep-wake outcomes
  • Systematic review
  • Wake

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The influence of oxytocin-based interventions on sleep-wake and sleep-related behaviour and neurobiology: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this