NCT03640156

Modulating Socially Adaptive Mirror System Functioning in Autism by Oxytocin

To Mirror or Not to Mirror Upon Perceived Eye Contact? The Effect of Oxytocin on Socially Adaptive Mirror System Functioning in Autism

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (actual)
• Sponsor: KU Leuven · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study investigates the efficacy of a single-dose of exogenous oxytocin administration on socially adaptive mirror-motor mapping in participants with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A placebo-controlled cross-over trial will be conducted: each participant will receive both a single-dose of placebo and oxytocin in two sessions separated by one week. The order of nasal spray will be randomised across participants. Mirror-motor mapping will be assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a standard technique to investigate mirror system activity.

Detailed description

The brain's action observation network or 'mirror system' supports a variety of socio-cognitive functions, as it enables us to internally simulate and understand others' actions, emotions and intentions. Generally, mirror responses are larger upon the observation of actions accompanied by relevant information for the observer, such as direct eye contact from the actor. In other words, 'mirroring' is adaptively modulated according to the social salience of the observed actions (i.e. it is socially adaptive). Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are known to endure difficulties with correctly recognizing eye contact as a communicative cue. Instead, they tend to experience eye contact as stressful and arousing. It is therefore hypothesized that, upon the observation of actions combined with salient gaze cues from the actor, these mirroring processes will not be adaptively modulated in participants with ASD. As appropriate processing of eye contact is a key aspect of (non-verbal) communicative behavior, the investigator will investigate the efficacy of a single dose of intranasal oxytocin administration for enhancing socially-adaptive mirroring in ASD. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that acts as a regulator social brain areas. On a behavioral level, it is known to enhance the saliency of observed social cues and to improve prosocial behavior. As such, it is regarded a promising intervention for alleviating the social and communicative deficits in ASD.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Oxytocin	A single dose (24IU) of nasal spray (3 puffs of 4IU per nostril) will be administered before the assessment of the neurophysiological measures.
OTHER	Placebo	A single dose (24IU) of nasal spray (3 puffs of 4IU per nostril) will be administered before the assessment of the neurophysiological measures.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-07-26
• Primary completion: 2019-12-19
• Completion: 2019-12-19
• First posted: 2018-08-21
• Last updated: 2020-02-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Belgium