The Neural Basis of Oxytocin's Effects on Empathy
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Early Phase 1
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 72
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Neural processing of empathy as assessed using fMRI
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The main focus of this study is to examine oxytocin effects on behavioral and neural indices of empathy processing.
Detailed Description
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has been demonstrated to modulate empathy in previous behavioural studies. The present study aims at replicating previous findings on OXT on empathy as well as to determine the neural basis of these effects.
In a between-subject, randomized double-blind design, subjects will be either administered intranasal OXT or placebo nasal spray (40 IU). 45 minutes after administration subjects will undergo (fMRI) tasks of empathic processing.
During the tasks subjects will be shown empathy inducing stimuli, and the behavioral and neural response in terms of cognitive, emotional and indirect emotional empathy will be assessed.
Before the administration of treatment, validated questionnaires assessing potential confounding variables, such as depression (Becks Depression Inventory (BDI)) or mood (Positive And Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)) will be administered to the subjects.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Factorial
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Investigator)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 30 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Healthy subjects without past or current psychiatric or neurological disorders
- •no smoking at least 12 hours before experiment
- •no alcohol, coffee or other stimulant drinking at least 12 hours before experiment
Exclusion Criteria
- •mental implants
- •pregnancy
- •uterine cavity operations
- •use of medication
- •acute physical disorder
Arms & Interventions
male participants - oxytocin nasal spray
male participants - receiving a single dose of 40 IU intranasal oxytocin
Intervention: Oxytocin (Drug)
female participants - oxytocin nasal spray
female participants - receiving a single dose of 40 IU intranasal oxytocin
Intervention: Oxytocin (Drug)
male participants - placebo nasal spray
male participants - receiving a single dose of 40 IU intranasal placebo
Intervention: Placebo (Drug)
female participants - placebo nasal spray
female participants - receiving a single dose of 40 IU intranasal placebo
Intervention: Placebo (Drug)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Neural processing of empathy as assessed using fMRI
Time Frame: 45-115 minutes after single dose administration
Main effects of treatment and interaction between treatment effects and sex will be assessed on brain activity and connectivity in core regions of the empathy networks during processing of empathy inducing pictures
Secondary Outcomes
- Behavioral ratings of subjective experienced empathy processing(45-115 minutes after single dose administration)
Investigators
Keith Kendrick
PhD
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China