Oxytocin Effects on Neural Processing of Affective Touch and Associations With Trait Autism
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- intranasal oxytocin
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Sponsor
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- Enrollment
- 50
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- brain function: neural activity during affective touch as assessed via BOLD fMRI
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 7 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The main aim of the study is to investigate whether intranasal oxytocin (24IU) increases the affective processing of touch in general or whether it's effect vary according to the affective valence of the touch (positive, neutral, negative). Moreover, associations with trait autism will be explored.
Detailed Description
A double-blind, within-subject, placebo controlled design will be employed in this study. In a randomized-order a total of 40 healthy male subjects will receive oxytocin- and placebo-nasalspray (interval between the administration \> 2 weeks). 45 minutes after treatment subjects will be administered the touch-stimulation to the dorsal forearm by a trained experimenter (lengths: 8cm, rate 8cm/s). After each block of stimulation, the subjects will be asked to rate their subjective experience of the touch.The neural basis of touch processing will be measured via simultaneously acquired fMRI. Levels of trait autism will be assessed using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (ASQ) and related scales such as the Empathy Quotient (EQ), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), or the Sensory over Responsivity Scale (SOR) and Under Responsively Scale (URS).
Investigators
Keith Kendrick
Professor
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Healthy subjects without any past or present psychiatric or neurological disorders
Exclusion Criteria
- •History of brain injury Medical or mental illness
Arms & Interventions
Oxytocin then placebo
Subjects will first receive oxytocin (24 IU).They then will receive placebo (24 IU) 2 weeks later.
Intervention: intranasal oxytocin
Oxytocin then placebo
Subjects will first receive oxytocin (24 IU).They then will receive placebo (24 IU) 2 weeks later.
Intervention: intranasal placebo
Placebo then oxytocin
Subjects will first receive placebo (24 IU).They then will receive oxytocin (24 IU) 2 weeks later.
Intervention: intranasal oxytocin
Placebo then oxytocin
Subjects will first receive placebo (24 IU).They then will receive oxytocin (24 IU) 2 weeks later.
Intervention: intranasal placebo
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
brain function: neural activity during affective touch as assessed via BOLD fMRI
Time Frame: 45-90 minutes after treatment administration
fMRI data will be analyzed using a within-subject General Linear Model approach - to determine the effects of oxytocin neural activity following oxytocin administration will be compared with neural activity following placebo administration.
Brain function: functional connectivity during affective touch as assessed via BOLD fMRI
Time Frame: 45-90 minutes after treatment administration
fMRI data will be analyzed using a within-subject General Linear Model approach - to determine the effects of oxytocin on the brain network level, functional connectivity following oxytocin administration will be compared with functional connectivity following placebo administration.
Secondary Outcomes
- Associations with trait autism as assessed via the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) - brain function: functional connectivity(45-90 minutes after treatment administration)
- Associations with trait autism as assessed via the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) - behaviour: pleasantness experience(45-90 minutes after treatment administration)
- Associations with Sensory Responsivity as assessed via the Sensory Responsivity Scale - behaviour: pleasantness experience(45-90 minutes after treatment administration)
- Associations with trait autism as assessed via the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) - brain function: activity(45-90 minutes after treatment administration)
- Associations with Sensory Responsivity as assessed via the Sensory Responsivity Scale - brain function: activity(45-90 minutes after treatment administration)
- Perceived affective quality of the touch(45-90 minutes after treatment administration)
- Associations with Sensory Responsivity as assessed via the Sensory Responsivity Scale - brain function: functional connectivity(45-90 minutes after treatment administration)