The Neural Basis of Oxytocin's Effects on Empathy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The main focus of this study is to examine oxytocin effects on behavioral and neural indices of empathy processing.

Detailed Description
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The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has been demonstrated to modulate empathy in previous behavioural studies. The present study aims at replicating previous findings on OXT on empathy as well as to determine the neural basis of these effects. In a between-subject, randomized double-blind design, subjects will be either administered intranasal OXT or placebo nasal spray (40 IU). 45 minutes after administration subjects will undergo (fMRI) tasks of empathic processing. During the tasks subjects will be shown empathy inducing stimuli, and the behavioral and neural response in terms of cognitive, emotional and indirect emotional empathy will be assessed. Before the administration of treatment, validated questionnaires assessing potential confounding variables, such as depression (Becks Depression Inventory (BDI)) or mood (Positive And Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)) will be administered to the subjects.

Official Title
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The Neural Basis of Oxytocin's Effects on Empathy

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Oxytocin
* Drug: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy subjects without past or current psychiatric or neurological disorders no smoking at least 12 hours before experiment no alcohol, coffee or other stimulant drinking at least 12 hours before experiment Exclusion Criteria: mental implants pregnancy uterine cavity operations use of medication acute physical disorder

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

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: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: male participants - oxytocin nasal spray<br>male participants - receiving a single dose of 40 IU intranasal oxytocin | Drug: Oxytocin<br>* 40 international units<br>* Other names: Oxytocin Treatment;|
| Experimental: female participants - oxytocin nasal spray<br>female participants - receiving a single dose of 40 IU intranasal oxytocin | Drug: Oxytocin<br>* 40 international units<br>* Other names: Oxytocin Treatment;|
| Placebo Comparator: male participants - placebo nasal spray<br>male participants - receiving a single dose of 40 IU intranasal placebo | Drug: Placebo<br>* 40 international units<br>* Other names: Placebo treatment;|
| Placebo Comparator: female participants - placebo nasal spray<br>female participants - receiving a single dose of 40 IU intranasal placebo | Drug: Placebo<br>* 40 international units<br>* Other names: Placebo treatment;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neural processing of empathy as assessed using fMRI | Main effects of treatment and interaction between treatment effects and sex will be assessed on brain activity and connectivity in core regions of the empathy networks during processing of empathy inducing pictures | 45-115 minutes after single dose administration | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Behavioral ratings of subjective experienced empathy processing | Main effects of treatment and interaction between treatment effects and sex will be assessed on subjective feelings of empathy (ratings on a Likert scale in response to empathy inducing pictures). | 45-115 minutes after single dose administration | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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oxytocin, fMRI, empathy