The Influence of Oxytocin on Pair-bonding and Emotion Regulation

Early Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy
• Interventions: Drug: Syntocinon-Spray

• Registration Number: NCT02501837
• Lead Sponsor: University Hospital, Bonn

Brief Summary

The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has been identified as a key modulator of human social behavior and it has been recently shown that OXT also contributes to pair-bonding in men. However, it is still elusive whether OXT has similar effects in women. In the present study, the investigators examine the effect of intranasal OXT on behavioral ratings of and neural responses to the male partner in female participants. In a second experiment, the modulatory effect of OXT on emotion regulation is investigated.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-07
• Primary Completion: 2015-06
• Study Completion: 2015-06
• Status Verified: 2015-07
• Study First Submitted: 2015-07-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-07-15
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-07-15
• Study First Posted: 2015-07-17
• Last Update Posted: 2015-07-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy female volunteers
• In a heterosexual relationship

Exclusion Criteria

• Current or past psychiatric disease
• Current or past physical illness
• Psychoactive medication
• Pregnant or lactating

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo	Syntocinon-Spray	Intranasal application, containing all ingredients except for the peptide, 3 puffs per nostril
Oxytocin	Syntocinon-Spray	24 IU Oxytocin (Syntocinon spray), intranasal application 30 min prior to the experiment

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Neural response to photographs of the partner	About one hour after the intranasal administration of oxytocin	Neural responses will be measured by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In the fMRI analysis the effect of oxytocin on the neural response to the photograph of the partner will be compared with placebo.
Neural response during the regulation of food craving	About one hour after the intranasal administration of oxytocin	Neural responses will be measured by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In the fMRI analysis the effect of oxytocin on the neural response to the regulation of food craving will be compared with placebo.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Food craving ratings	About one hour after the intranasal administration of oxytocin	The effect of oxytocin on food craving ratings will be compared with placebo. Ratings will be obtained by using a visual analog scale.
Attractiveness ratings of all stimuli	About one hour after the intranasal administration of oxytocin	The effect of oxytocin on attractiveness ratings of the partner will be compared with placebo. Ratings will be obtained by using a visual analog scale.
Arousal ratings of all stimuli	About one hour after the intranasal administration of oxytocin	The effect of oxytocin on arousal ratings of the partner will be compared with placebo. Ratings will be obtained by using a visual analog scale.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn; 🇩🇪 Bonn, Germany