The Influence of Oxytocin on Automatic Imitation Behaviour in Healthy Adults

University Ghent

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Drug: Sea water; Drug: Oxytocin

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01767025

2012/550

Details and patient eligibility

About

In this study, the influence of oxytocin on automatic imitation behaviour is investigated. Healthy adults will be administered with either oxytocin or a placebo, and will perform an imitation-inhibition task (as a measure of automatic imitation behaviour). To determine the specificity of the oxytocin effect, an unrelated cognitive task (Stroop task) will also be presented.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male
• non-smoker

Exclusion criteria

• no pacemaker, deep brain stimulation electrodes or other stimulation devices
• normal neurological history (no brain operations, migraine, epilepsy, alcoholism
• no epilepsy in family
• no chronic disease(s) that require constant medication (asthma, hypertension, diabetes)
• no medication 24h prior to experiment
• no alcohol or caffeine 2h prior to experiment
• no sleep deprivation 24h prior to experiment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Oxytocin

Experimental group

Description:

Oxytocin 24 IU (3 puffs) per nostril

Treatment:

Drug: Oxytocin

Sea water

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Sea water 3 puffs per nostril

Treatment:

Drug: Sea water