The Modulatory Effects of Oxytocin on Reinforcement Learning and Interoceptive Processing
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Intranasal oxytocin
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Sponsor
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- Enrollment
- 80
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Behavioral index in the heartbeat counting task: interoceptive accuracy
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 2 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The main aim of the study is to investigate whether intranasal oxytocin has effects on reinforcement learning under dynamic environment and interoceptive processing based on behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) responses.
Detailed Description
A double-blinded, placebo-controled, between-subject design is employed in this study. In a randomized order, a total of 80 healthy males are instructed to self-administrated intranasal spray of oxytocin or placebo. (1) Participants first complete a probabilistic reward learning task 45 minutes after treatment with behavioral (response time and accuracy) and EEG data (ERP components such as FRN, ERN and P300) being collected during this task. (2) A resting-state recording and a heartbeat counting task are conducted following the learning task with ECG and EEG data being collected. Personality traits of subjects are assessed using validated Chinese version questionnaires including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Autism Spectrum Quotient (ASQ), the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(CFI), Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS). Subjects are asked to complete Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) when they just arrive, before and after the tasks.
Investigators
Shuxia Yao
Associate 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
a single dose of 24 international units (IU) of OT will be administered with 3 puffs of treatment to each nostril.
Intervention: Intranasal oxytocin
placebo
a single dose of 24 international units (IU) of placebo will be administered with 3 puffs of treatment to each nostril.
Intervention: intranasal placebo
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Behavioral index in the heartbeat counting task: interoceptive accuracy
Time Frame: 65-75 minutes after treatment administration
Individuals' ability to perceive internal cardiac signals
Behavioral index in the learning task: chioce accuracy
Time Frame: 45-65 minutes after treatment administration
The accuracy of subjects choosing the better option.
Secondary Outcomes
- ERP components in the learning task: ERN, FRN, P300, N2pc(45-65 minutes after treatment administration)
- ERP components in the heartbeat counting task: heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP)(65-75 minutes after treatment administration)