The Effects of Oxytocin on Social Touch

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The main aim of the study is to investigate whether intranasal oxytocin (24IU) can enhance hedonic experience and associated brain-reward reward responses to social touch.

Detailed Description
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A double-blind, within-subject, placebo controlled design is employed in this study. In total 50 healthy male subjects will be recruited and they will come twice, once with the administration of oxytocin nasal spray and the other placebo (interval time is more than 2 weeks). 45 minutes after treatment subjects will be applied two different types of pleasant touch: social touch from a masseur (professional therapist) and non-social touch from a massage device. After each condition the subjects will be asked to rate pleasantness, likability, and arousal. Simultaneously functional brain activity will be acquired via fMRI. Blood samples will be taken before and after the intervention to assess oxytocin levels. All subjects were asked to complete a range of questionnaires measuring trait personality and mood: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale (CBSS),Autism Spectrum Quotient (ASQ), Empathy Quotient (EQ), NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS),Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System Scale (BISBAS),Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ),State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Social Touch Questionnaire (STQ), Sensory over Responsivity Scale (SOR) and Under Responsivity Scale (URS) one day before the first scanning. On the first and second scanning day, the subjects were asked to complete Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) before and after treatment administration.

Official Title
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The Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Social Touch: an fMRI-based Study

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: intranasal oxytocin
* Drug: intranasal placebo
* Drug: intranasal oxytocin
* Drug: intranasal placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy subjects without any past or present psychiatric or neurological disorders Exclusion Criteria: History of brain injury Medical or mental illness

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 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: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized placebo-controlled double-blind within-subject design
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Oxytocin then placebo<br>Participants first received oxytocin (24 IU). After a washout period of 2 weeks, they then received placebo (24 IU). | Drug: intranasal oxytocin<br>* 24 IU of oxytocin nasal spray will be applied to each subject.<br>Drug: intranasal placebo<br>* an identical amount of placebo nasal spray will be applied to each subject.<br>|
| Experimental: Placebo then oxytocin<br>Participants first received placebo (24 IU). After a washout period of 2 weeks, they then received oxytocin (24 IU). | Drug: intranasal oxytocin<br>* 24 IU of oxytocin nasal spray will be applied to each subject.<br>Drug: intranasal placebo<br>* an identical amount of placebo nasal spray will be applied to each subject.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neural indices: fMRI-based measures of interoceptive and reward processing | fMRI-based measures of social and non-social touch-related brain activity | 45-90 minutes after treatment administration | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Behavioral index: pleasantness experience | Ratings for pleasantness during the application of social and non-social touch | 45-90 minutes after treatment administration | 
| Behavioral index: likability experience | Ratings for likability during the application of social and non-social touch | 45-90 minutes after treatment administration | 
| Behavioral index: arousal experience | Ratings for arousal during the application of social and non-social touch | 45-90 minutes after treatment administration | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Oxytocin, social touch