Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Promotes Oxytocin Release and Increases Fixations on Nose
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Sponsor
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- Enrollment
- 54
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Oxytocin release
- Last Updated
- 4 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The main aim of the study is to investigate whether the transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation(tVNS) promotes oxytocin release and the potential biomarkers of tVNS based on eye-tracking data
Detailed Description
A randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled, within-subject, crossover design will be employed in this study. In a randomized order, a total of 54 healthy subjects will receive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation via tragus and sham stimulation vis earlobe in the left ear (interval between these two stimulations will be 1 week). Eye-tracking and behavioral data will be collected before and after 30 minutes of stimulation, saliva samples will be collected before and after 30 minutes of stimulation, and the end of the experiment. Some personal traits will be assessed using different kinds of questionnaires, such as the Autism Spectrum Quotient(ASQ), Social Responsiveness Scale(SRS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck's Depression Inventory(BDI), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).
Investigators
Keith Kendrick
Professor
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Healthy subjects without past or current psychiatric or neurological disorders
Exclusion Criteria
- •history of head injury;
- •pregnant, menstruating, taking oral contraceptives;
- •medical or psychiatric illness.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Oxytocin release
Time Frame: After 30 min tragus stimulation
Investigating the oxytocin release after vagus nerve stimulation via tragus based on saliva samples
Secondary Outcomes
- The relationship between oxytocin concentration and personal traits(through study completion, an average of half an year)
- Pupil size(After 30 min tragus stimulation)