F84.0 F84.5 F84.1
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Patients with Autism-Spectrum-Disorder and healthy controls:
Oxytocin-Spray (Syntocinon): singular intranasal administration of 24 IU
Time between intranasal administration: approx. 14 days
Sponsors
Max-Planck-Institut für Kognitions- und Neurowissenschaften
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Male
Age
19 Years to 40 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Key inclusion criteria: ASD patients: Diagnosis of the three autistic disorders (according to ICD-10): F84.0, F84.5 F84.1, male, age 19 = age = 40 Healthy controls: Frequency matched with regard to age, IQ, and sex without diagnosis of ASD
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Key exclusion criteria: IQ < 70; contraindications for OXT administration (e.g. known hypersensitivity to nasal sprays or other drugs); contraindications for the MRI assessment (e.g. incorporated metal, claustrophobia); comorbid drug, alcohol or nicotine abuse or dependence
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The characterization of acute oxytocin effects on neural network activation in patients with autism-spectrum-disorder and healthy controls in regard on socio-affective and cognitive processes. Neural network activation will be measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging, once after oxytocin and once after placebo administration. The neural activation patterns and the behavior that are measured after the different nasal spray application will then be compared. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The influence of oxytocin on (a) reaction time and empatic judgments (b) pupillary dilation (c) eye fixations and the relationship of oxytocin outcomes to personality questionnaires. Reactions on empathic judgments will be made by each participant during the fMRI measurements, pupillary dilation and eye fixations will be measured with an eye-tracker while the fMRI measurements are taking place. The personality questionnaires will be filled in prior to the nasal spray application and may serve as an indicator on how differential oxytocin effects can be when particular traits are present in an individual. | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactKatrin Preckel
Max-Planck-Institut für Kognitions- und Neurowissenschaften
Outcome results
None listed