The effect of oxytocin administration on empathy and emotion recognition in healthy and antisocial adolescents

Completed

Conditions: antisocial behavior
externalizing problems
10037176

Registration Number: NL-OMON43487

Lead Sponsor: Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Completed

Sex: Not specified

Target Recruitment: 256

Inclusion Criteria

Study 1:
-males
-age 15-18
-no current or previous psychiatric disorder as identified by the MINI-KID
-capable to read and comprehend the Dutch language
-written informed consent signed by themselves and their legal representatives;Study 2:
-Males
-age 15-18
-antisocial behavior and conduct problems as identified by the MINI-KID
-capable to read and comprehend the Dutch language
-written informed consent by themselves and their legal representatives

Exclusion Criteria

-IQ lower than 75
-other severe medical problems
-medication for medical problems
-allergic responses to oxytocin
-substance abuse
-nasal surgery
-nasal disease

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
<p>The main study parameter is the difference between total scores of cognitive<br /><br>and affective empathy as well accuracy and reaction time of emotion recognition<br /><br>between conditions (oxytocin/placebo administration). Additionally, we examine<br /><br>whether the oxytocin effect is different between traumatized and<br /><br>non-traumatized antisocial adolescents by comparing the scores between groups<br /><br>and across conditions. </p><br>

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
<p>As a secondary parameter, we explore whether total scores on psychopathic<br /><br>traits and dissociation can moderate the oxytocin effect on empathy and emotion<br /><br>recognition in healthy and antisocial male adolescents. We also measure<br /><br>salivary oxytocin levels to examine whether baseline and after administration<br /><br>peripheral oxytocin is different between antisocial adolescents with and<br /><br>without severe psychological trauma by comparing the oxytocin levels between<br /><br>groups and across conditions.</p><br>