Adult Study Oxytocin - fMRI
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Cognitive Studies, Schizophrenia, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 50 |
| Updated: | 2/28/2019 |
| Start Date: | September 2012 |
| End Date: | September 2017 |
Mechanisms and Effects of Oxytocin on Social Cognition in Schizophrenia - fMRI
In this study, investigators will examine the behavioral effects and neurophysiological
mechanisms of the pro-social neuropeptide oxytocin in patients with recent-onset
schizophrenia. Such research is a necessary first step towards identifying whether intranasal
oxytocin administration can serve as an adjunct treatment for social impairments in
schizophrenia.
Aim 1: To examine the effects of exogenous oxytocin on patterns of neural activation as
measured by fMRI during a well-characterized affect-labeling task in patients with
recent-onset schizophrenia and healthy comparison subjects.
Hypothesis A: Patients will exhibit amygdalar hyperactivity and PNS hypo-activity when
passively viewing faces, which will be normalized by administration of oxytocin.
Hypothesis B: Patients will exhibit hypo-activity of the vPFC when affectively labeling faces
and this hypo-activity will be normalized by oxytocin administration.
mechanisms of the pro-social neuropeptide oxytocin in patients with recent-onset
schizophrenia. Such research is a necessary first step towards identifying whether intranasal
oxytocin administration can serve as an adjunct treatment for social impairments in
schizophrenia.
Aim 1: To examine the effects of exogenous oxytocin on patterns of neural activation as
measured by fMRI during a well-characterized affect-labeling task in patients with
recent-onset schizophrenia and healthy comparison subjects.
Hypothesis A: Patients will exhibit amygdalar hyperactivity and PNS hypo-activity when
passively viewing faces, which will be normalized by administration of oxytocin.
Hypothesis B: Patients will exhibit hypo-activity of the vPFC when affectively labeling faces
and this hypo-activity will be normalized by oxytocin administration.
Inclusion Criteria for Patients:
- Male
- SCID-IV confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- Clinically stable
- No changes to medications for the past week
Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:
- Male
- SCID-IV confirmed no diagnosis of a current Axis I disorder within the last year
Exclusion Criteria for Patients and Healthy Controls:
- Meeting criteria for current substance abuse or dependence or illicit drug use within
the last month (nicotine use is acceptable) as determined by a Urine Toxicology Drug
Screening
- Any illness that affects the nasal passages and impairs the delivery of a nasal spray
- Presence of any neurological or significant medical disorder, including medical
illnesses that could interfere with physiological recording such as cardiac
arrhythmias
- A pacemaker, extensive dental work, or any magnetic metal implants and upper body
tattoos
- Pregnancy
- Claustrophpbia
- Hearing difficulties
- A history of seizures
- Failure to receive a passing score on the reading test
Additional Exclusion Criteria for Patients and Healthy Controls:
- Taking any psychotropic medication or any medication that affects the autonomic or
cardiovascular systems.
- Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder in a first degree relative
- Failure to receive a passing score on the MOCA
We found this trial at
2
sites
San Francisco, California 94121
Principal Investigator: Josh Woolley, MD/PhD
Phone: 415-221-4810
Click here to add this to my saved trials
Click here to add this to my saved trials