The Influence of Oxytocin on Pair-bonding and Emotion Regulation

University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

Status and phase: Completed; Early Phase 1

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Drug: Syntocinon-Spray

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02501837

OXT_BOND

Details and patient eligibility

About

The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has been identified as a key modulator of human social behavior and it has been recently shown that OXT also contributes to pair-bonding in men. However, it is still elusive whether OXT has similar effects in women. In the present study, the investigators examine the effect of intranasal OXT on behavioral ratings of and neural responses to the male partner in female participants. In a second experiment, the modulatory effect of OXT on emotion regulation is investigated.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy female volunteers
• In a heterosexual relationship

Exclusion criteria

• Current or past psychiatric disease
• Current or past physical illness
• Psychoactive medication
• Pregnant or lactating

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Oxytocin

Experimental group

Description:

24 IU Oxytocin (Syntocinon spray), intranasal application 30 min prior to the experiment

Treatment:

Drug: Syntocinon-Spray

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Intranasal application, containing all ingredients except for the peptide, 3 puffs per nostril

Treatment:

Drug: Syntocinon-Spray