The Influence of Oxytocin on Automatic Imitation Behaviour in Healthy Adults

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy
• Interventions: Drug: Sea water; Drug: Oxytocin

• Registration Number: NCT01767025
• Lead Sponsor: University Ghent

Brief Summary

In this study, the influence of oxytocin on automatic imitation behaviour is investigated. Healthy adults will be administered with either oxytocin or a placebo, and will perform an imitation-inhibition task (as a measure of automatic imitation behaviour). To determine the specificity of the oxytocin effect, an unrelated cognitive task (Stroop task) will also be presented.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2012-11
• Primary Completion: 2012-12
• Study Completion: 2012-12
• Status Verified: 2013-01
• Study First Submitted: 2013-01-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-01-10
• Study First Posted: 2013-01-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-01-16
• Last Update Posted: 2013-01-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Male
• non-smoker

Exclusion Criteria

• no pacemaker, deep brain stimulation electrodes or other stimulation devices
• normal neurological history (no brain operations, migraine, epilepsy, alcoholism
• no epilepsy in family
• no chronic disease(s) that require constant medication (asthma, hypertension, diabetes)
• no medication 24h prior to experiment
• no alcohol or caffeine 2h prior to experiment
• no sleep deprivation 24h prior to experiment

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sea water	Sea water	Sea water 3 puffs per nostril
Oxytocin	Oxytocin	Oxytocin 24 IU (3 puffs) per nostril

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To evaluate the automatic imitation behaviour 45 minutes after drug administration	120 minutes	Since the effects of oxytocin are only visible after 45 minutes, participants will have to wait 45 minutes before starting the experimental tasks. In the meantime, they will be given an unrelated cognitive-emotional filler task which will last ± 30 minutes. Afterwards, they will perform two experimental tasks: an imitation-inhibition task and a cognitive control task (Stroop task).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ghent University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences; 🇧🇪 Ghent, Belgium