NCT02577575

Adult Oxytocin Study

The Effects of Oxytocin on Social Cognition in Patients With Schizophrenia

• Status: Completed
• Phase: EARLY_Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In this study, investigators will examine the behavioral effects and neurophysiological mechanisms of the pro-social neuropeptide oxytocin in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia. Such research is a necessary first step towards identifying whether intranasal oxytocin administration can serve as an adjunct treatment for social impairments in schizophrenia. Aim 1: To quantify the effects of exogenous oxytocin on social cognition and behavior in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia. Hypothesis A: Patients and healthy comparison subjects will show enhanced social cognition (e.g., improved interpretation of paralinguistic and emotional cues, such as those involved in emotional or sarcastic communication) after administration of oxytocin versus placebo. Hypothesis B: Patients and healthy comparison subjects will show increased attention to others' eyes and patients will exhibit increased facial affect expressivity after administration of oxytocin versus placebo. Aim 2: To examine the effects of exogenous oxytocin on persistent negative symptoms in schizophrenia (PNS) activity in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia. Hypothesis A: Patients and healthy comparison subjects will demonstrate increased PNS activity during social tasks after administration of oxytocin versus placebo. Hypothesis B (exploratory): Patients and healthy comparison subjects' improvements in social cognition and behavior will be predicted by the degree to which oxytocin increases their PNS activity.

Conditions

• Schizophrenia
• Oxytocin
• Social Cognition

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Oxytocin	40 IU of the oxytocin will be administered intranasally for a one time dose at the beginning of the visit.
DRUG	Saline Nasal Spray	40 IU of the saline nasal spray will be administered once at the beginning of the visit.

Timeline

• Start date: 2010-08-01
• Primary completion: 2015-11-01
• Completion: 2015-11-01
• First posted: 2015-10-16
• Last updated: 2019-05-21

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States