Pharmacological Approach to Improve the Outcome of Social Cognition Training

Individuals with schizophrenia often have serious deficits in their abilities to perceive
and interpret socially relevant information. These deficits in social cognition can lead to
misunderstanding the intentions of others and failing to interpret social signals that are
important for successful social interactions. The relationship between social cognition and
functioning has led our group to develop a research agenda that includes understanding the
neural underpinnings of social cognitive deficits, measuring these impairments using
brain-based biomarkers and clinical assessments, and enhancing our Social Cognitive Skills
Training program to improve social cognition and promote recovery.

Oxytocin, which is a hormone and neurotransmitter, is believed to impact social cognition
through increased orienting toward and attending to socially salient visual features. There
is also evidence that oxytocinergic signaling is impaired in schizophrenia. With this
research, we hope to learn whether administration of oxytocin will improve different aspects
of social cognition by examining the effects of oxytocin versus placebo administered
intranasally before each of 12 sessions of a social cognitive skills training program on
measures of independent living, work and social functioning.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-IV

- Stable on an antipsychotic medication

- No change in antipsychotic dose of >10% during the past 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

- Unable to provide informed consent

- History of epilepsy

- Active medical conditions that would make the study unsafe

- History of serious head injury

- History of hyponatremia