Healthy
Conditions
Keywords
Influence, oxytocin, automatic imitation, behaviour, volunteers
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
DRUGOxytocin
DRUGSea water
Sponsors
Research Foundation Flanders
University Ghent
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| To evaluate the automatic imitation behaviour 45 minutes after drug administration | 120 minutes | Since the effects of oxytocin are only visible after 45 minutes, participants will have to wait 45 minutes before starting the experimental tasks. In the meantime, they will be given an unrelated cognitive-emotional filler task which will last ± 30 minutes. Afterwards, they will perform two experimental tasks: an imitation-inhibition task and a cognitive control task (Stroop task). |
Countries
Belgium
Outcome results
None listed