Influence of Oxytocin on Resting State Neurophysiological Measures

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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In this study, the investigators will explore the influence of oxytocin administration on several neurophysiological responses (EEG, skin conductance and heart rate) during rest.

Detailed Description
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Oxytocin is known to influence several neurophysiological measures, such as heart rate, EEG and skin conductance during specific tasks (e.g., emotion recognition, fear learning and extinction). However, not much is known about the influence of oxytocin on those measures during rest. Therefore, in this randomized, placebo controlled, double blinded study, the investigators will investigate the influence of oxytocin during a resting period of 5 minutes. Heart rate, skin conductance, respiration and EEG will be measured before and after oxytocin or placebo administration. The investigators expect that oxytocin will increase the heart rate variability and decrease the skin conductance levels. Exploratory, the investigators will conduct a cross-frequency analysis of band power and asses the relationship between distinct indexes of sympathetic / parasympathetic balance. Please note that this study is part of a larger study in which the investigators also asses the influence of oxytocin on neurophysiological responses elicited by direct gaze

Official Title
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Influence of Oxytocin on Resting State Neurophysiological Measures

Conditions
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Oxytocin

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Oxytocin
* Drug: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: right-handed male age between 18 and 35 Normal or adjusted-to-normal vision (with lenses only) Dutch as mother tongue Exclusion Criteria: not right-handed female age below 18 or above 35 Need to wear glasses Dutch not as mother tongue

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 38 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Oxytocin<br>Syntocinon nasal spray (40 IU/ml; oxytocin, product code RVG 03716); single intranasal dose of 24 international units (IU; 3 puffs of 4 IU per nostril) | Drug: Oxytocin<br>* Syntocinon nasal spray<br>* Other names: syntocinon;|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>saline natriumchloride solution nasal spray; single intranasal dose (3 puffs per nostril) | Drug: Placebo<br>* Placebo nasal spray<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in heart rate variability after oxytocin administration | The influence of oxytocin administration on heart rate variability | Assessment over 5 minutes, before and after oxytocin or placebo administration | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in skin conductance level after oxytocin administration | The influence of oxytocin administration on skin conductance level | Assessment over 5 minutes, before and after oxytocin or placebo administration | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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resting state, EEG, skin conductance, heart rate, oxytocin