Oxytocin, Emotions and Mirror Neurons

The purpose of this project is to investigate the possible effect of intranasally administered Oxytocin (OT) on specific mirror neuron areas in human brain. The mirror neuron system (MNS) is thought to be involved in action perception and understanding, and may also underlie more complex cognitive processes such as imitation. We will use electroencephalographic (EEG) investigations to examine brain activity while participants complete two different tasks, consisting of the observation and imitation of emotional facial expressions (video presented) and the observation and execution of simple grasping actions (live presented), respectively. In addition, before the beginning of the EEG recording session, subjects will be randomly assigned to two different groups (Oxytocin or Placebo group) and will receive a dose of either intranasal Oxytocin or Placebo solution. Oxytocin is a polypeptide hormone that plays a critical role in social behavior. We will identify mu and beta rhythm from the ongoing EEG and examine suppression as a function of emotion and goal directed action perception and imitation/execution.

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Key information

Conditions

Social Cognition Expressed Emotion

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

Child Development Lab, University of Maryland

College Park, Maryland, 20742, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Right-hand dominant
Sufficient spoken English so as to be able to complete testing validly and give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Currently taking any psychotropic or cognition enhancing medication
History of schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder, including Bipolar Disorder
Family history of psychosis
Neurological disease or clinically significant head injury
Physical disability that substantially impairs motor function
Current diagnosis of polydypsic-induced hyponatremia
Substance dependence or abuse in the past 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Oxytocin

Drug

The experimental oxytocin group will receive 24 international units (IU) of oxytocin using an intranasal administration (self-administered nasal spray) one time before the experimental session

Other names: Syntocinon nasal spray

Placebo

Other

The placebo comparator group will receive sterile saline through intranasal administration, consisting of the same salt solution in which the hormone will be dissolved , but lacking the hormone itself.

Primary outcomes

EEG mu rhythm suppression

Time frame: Before oxytocin/placebo administration and 45 minutes after

The EEG mu rhythm suppression is an index of the human mirror neuron system (alpha and lower beta band activity (8-13 and ~20Hz) recorded over the sensorimotor cortex. EEG will be recorded during the performance of an emotion imitation task (Carr et al., 2003) in which participants will be asked to imitate and internally generate facial emotions seen on a computer screen, or to simply observe, as well as performing a simple grasping action task. Changes in the mu suppression while the performance of these tasks, before and after oxytocin/placebo administration, will be the primary outcome measure.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Other

Collaborators

University of Maryland, College Park

Registry information

Official study title

The Influence of Oxytocin on the Mirror Neuron System: Developing Brain Imaging Paradigms for Future Therapeutic Interventions

Important dates

Study start: 2014
Primary completion: 2016
Study completion: 2016
First posted: Aug 28, 2014
Registry last updated: Aug 19, 2019

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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Completed