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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05245708

Effects of Oxytocin on Reinforcement Learning and Interoception

The main aim of the study is to investigate whether intranasal oxytocin has effects on reinforcement learning under dynamic environment and interoceptive processing based on behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) responses.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–28 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC)

Chengdu, Sichuan, 611731, China

About this study

A double-blinded, placebo-controled, between-subject design is employed in this study. In a randomized order, a total of 80 healthy males are instructed to self-administrated intranasal spray of oxytocin or placebo. (1) Participants first complete a probabilistic reward learning task 45 minutes after treatment with behavioral (response time and accuracy) and EEG data (ERP components such as FRN, ERN and P300) being collected during this task. (2) A resting-state recording and a heartbeat counting task are conducted following the learning task with ECG and EEG data being collected. Personality traits of subjects are assessed using validated Chinese version questionnaires including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Autism Spectrum Quotient (ASQ), the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(CFI), Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS). Subjects are asked to complete Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) when they just arrive, before and after the tasks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy subjects without any past or present psychiatric or neurological disorders.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of brain injury medical or mental illness.

Treatment and study plan

Intranasal oxytocin

Drug

Each subject will be assigned to intranasal administration of oxytocin (24 IU).

Intranasal placebo

Drug

Each subject will be assigned to intranasal placebo.

Primary outcomes

  1. Behavioral index in the learning task: chioce accuracy

    Time frame: 45-65 minutes after treatment administration

    The accuracy of subjects choosing the better option.

  2. Behavioral index in the heartbeat counting task: interoceptive accuracy

    Time frame: 65-75 minutes after treatment administration

    Individuals' ability to perceive internal cardiac signals

Secondary outcomes

  1. ERP components in the learning task: ERN, FRN, P300, N2pc

    Time frame: 45-65 minutes after treatment administration

    ERN and FRN are indices of reward expectancy and prediction error in reinforcement learning. P300 is associated with attention allocation. N2pc is an early component associated with visual selective attention.

  2. ERP components in the heartbeat counting task: heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP)

    Time frame: 65-75 minutes after treatment administration

    HEP is a scalp event-related potential that reflects cortical processing of cardiac interoceptive signals

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Modulatory Effects of Oxytocin on Reinforcement Learning and Interoceptive Processing

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Feb 18, 2022
Registry last updated
Jan 19, 2024

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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