Effects of Oxytocin Nasal Spray on Social Affiliation
Schizophrenia
About this trial
This is an interventional other trial for Schizophrenia focused on measuring Schizophrenia, Eye movements, phenotype, biochemical, relatives
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male/Female subjects between ages of 18-64 years
- The presence of 3 or more SSP symptoms (at least 2 of the SSP symptoms will be negative symptoms as defined by the schizoid traits)
- The presence of visuo-spatial working memory impairment as defined by error in the oculomotor delayed response (ODR) task of more than 0.5 SD above the mean values in healthy control subjects
- Relative of an individual with schizophrenia, schizo-affective, or schizophreniform disorder
- Able to provide written informed consent. Females are excluded due to risk of discomfort and unblinding due to potential uterine cramps induced by oxytocin.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subjects meeting criteria for a life-time diagnosis of any one of the DSM IV, Axis I psychotic disorders (exceptions being a single past episode of major depressive disorder with psychotic features or psychotic symptoms associated with substance abuse with the substance abuse ending 6-months prior to study participation) (this is for the SSP recruitment)
- Subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for current alcohol or substance dependence (other than nicotine) within the last 6 months or DSM-IV criteria for alcohol or substance abuse (other than nicotine) within the last month
- Medical conditions that preclude participation in drug trials or assessments of outcome measures (including significant brain, cardiac, liver, lung, endocrinological or metabolic disorders)
- Received any investigational drug in the preceding four weeks.
Sites / Locations
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
Oxytocin, then Placebo
Placebo, then Oxytocin
Participants first received 24IU of Oxytocin administered intranasally with 6 total sprays (three in each nostril) on the morning and at midday of one study visit. Then, after at least month the participants returned for a second study day and received placebo.
Participants first received a placebo (saline nasal spray) administered intranasally with 6 total sprays (three in each nostril) on the morning and at midday of one study visit. Then, after at least month the participants returned for a second study day and received Oxytocin.