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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02501837

The Influence of Oxytocin on Pair-bonding and Emotion Regulation

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn

Bonn, 53105, Germany

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Syntocinon-Spray

Drug

Intranasal administration of 24 IU Oxytocin

Primary outcomes

  1. Neural response to photographs of the partner

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Neural response during the regulation of food craving

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Attractiveness ratings of all stimuli

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Arousal ratings of all stimuli

    Time frame: 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.

  3. Food craving ratings

    Time frame: 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Bonn

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Jul 17, 2015
Registry last updated
Jul 17, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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