Modulation of Reinforcement Learning

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims to examine the modulation of neuronal and behavioural parameters of social reinforcement learning.

Official Title
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Modulation of Reinforcement Learning and Neuronal Activation in Ventral Stratum by Oxytocin - a Pilot Study at Autism Spectrum Disorder

Conditions
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Impact of Oxytocin on Social Learning

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Oxytocin vs. Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age between 18 and 26 years male IQ>80 written informed consent proband understands character, extent and individual consequences of the study competent persons who are able to follow the instructions of the study personnel for ASD patients: assured ASD diagnosis, comply of the ASD criteria ADI-R/ADOS-G Exclusion Criteria: prosopagnosia anaphylaxis of oxytocin or other chemical substances metal inside the body or other contraindications of mri scan physical illness which can affect the examinations or endanger the proband actual or assumed drug or alcohol abuse persons who are accommodated in an institution because of court or administrative order persons with a relationship of dependence to the sponsor or investigator healthy probands: psychiatric disorder according to ICD-10-WHO F at the moment and in history, continuous drug-intake at time of measurements patients with ASD: psychiatric disorder according to ICD-10-WHO F (except ASD disorder in patient group) during the last 12 month being not treated, continuous drug-intake at time of measurements (psychotropic medication), exception: stimulants used for treatment of attention disorders, if they can come off for the measurements

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 26 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: Diagnostic
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Cross over Oxytocin and Placebo<br>FMRI measurement and blood examinations after 26 IU Oxytocin (Syntocinon)or placebo on two consecutive days | Drug: Oxytocin vs. Placebo<br>* FMRI measurement and blood examinations after 26 IU Oxytocin (Syntocinon)or placebo on two consecutive days<br>|
| Other: Cross over Placebo and Oxytocin<br>FMRI measurement and blood examinations after 26 IU Oxytocin (Syntocinon)or placebo on two consecutive days | Drug: Oxytocin vs. Placebo<br>* FMRI measurement and blood examinations after 26 IU Oxytocin (Syntocinon)or placebo on two consecutive days<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bold Signal in nucleus accumbens | during social learning at one treatment with oxytocin vs placebo | 1 Day | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bold signal in ventral tegmental areal | during social learning at one treatment with oxytocin vs placebo | 1 Day |