Intrusive Memories
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of the study is to examine whether oxytocin and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism affect the development of intrusive memories, a cardinal symptom of PTSD.
Interventions
DRUGOxytocin nasal spray
DRUGPlacebos
Placebo nasal spray
Sponsors
Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 44 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* healthy female volunteers * German on a native level
Exclusion criteria
* former or present disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) * any physical illnesses * any medication intake (except oral contraceptive) * history of traumatic experience, e.g. history of sexual abuse or rape * pregnancy or lactation period * follicular phase of menstrual cycle for all women not using oral contraceptives
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Intrusive memories | four consecutive days | Influence of oxytocin on the development of intrusive memories measured with an intrusion diary |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Noradrenergic System (measured with salivary alpha-amylase - u/ml) | Day 1 | Influence of oxytocin on the noradrenergic system measured with salivary alpha-amylase |
| Genetic polymorphism | four consecutive days | Influence of genetic polymorphism of the oxytocin receptor on intrusive memories measured with an intrusion diary |
| Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (measured with salivary cortisol - nmol/L) | Day 1 | Influence of oxytocin on the HPA-axis measured with salivary cortisol |
Countries
Germany
Outcome results
None listed