Modulating Socially Adaptive Mirror System Functioning in Autism by Oxytocin
|
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03640156 |
|
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : August 21, 2018
Last Update Posted : February 5, 2020
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
| Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Autism Spectrum Disorder | Drug: Oxytocin Other: Placebo | Phase 3 |
The brain's action observation network or 'mirror system' supports a variety of socio-cognitive functions, as it enables us to internally simulate and understand others' actions, emotions and intentions. Generally, mirror responses are larger upon the observation of actions accompanied by relevant information for the observer, such as direct eye contact from the actor. In other words, 'mirroring' is adaptively modulated according to the social salience of the observed actions (i.e. it is socially adaptive).
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are known to endure difficulties with correctly recognizing eye contact as a communicative cue. Instead, they tend to experience eye contact as stressful and arousing. It is therefore hypothesized that, upon the observation of actions combined with salient gaze cues from the actor, these mirroring processes will not be adaptively modulated in participants with ASD.
As appropriate processing of eye contact is a key aspect of (non-verbal) communicative behavior, the investigator will investigate the efficacy of a single dose of intranasal oxytocin administration for enhancing socially-adaptive mirroring in ASD. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that acts as a regulator social brain areas. On a behavioral level, it is known to enhance the saliency of observed social cues and to improve prosocial behavior. As such, it is regarded a promising intervention for alleviating the social and communicative deficits in ASD.
| Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
| Actual Enrollment : | 25 participants |
| Allocation: | Randomized |
| Intervention Model: | Crossover Assignment |
| Masking: | Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
| Primary Purpose: | Basic Science |
| Official Title: | To Mirror or Not to Mirror Upon Perceived Eye Contact? The Effect of Oxytocin on Socially Adaptive Mirror System Functioning in Autism |
| Actual Study Start Date : | July 26, 2018 |
| Actual Primary Completion Date : | December 19, 2019 |
| Actual Study Completion Date : | December 19, 2019 |
| Arm | Intervention/treatment |
|---|---|
|
Experimental: Oxytocin (OXT) spray
Syntocinon nasal spray (product code RVG 03716) will be used to intranasally administer one single dose (24 IU) of OXT (3 puffs of 4 IU per nostril).
|
Drug: Oxytocin
A single dose (24IU) of nasal spray (3 puffs of 4IU per nostril) will be administered before the assessment of the neurophysiological measures.
Other Name: Syntocinon (product code RVG 03716) |
|
Placebo Comparator: Placebo (PL) spray
Physiological water (a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) in water) will be used to intranasally administer one single dose (24 IU) of PL (3 puffs of 4 IU per nostril).
|
Other: Placebo
A single dose (24IU) of nasal spray (3 puffs of 4IU per nostril) will be administered before the assessment of the neurophysiological measures. |
- Change from baseline in socially adaptive mirroring as measured by TMS [ Time Frame: 30 minutes after spray administration ]After a single dose of nasal spray, TMS will be applied to assess mirror-motor mapping during the observation of socially relevant vs. irrelevant visuomotor information.
- Change from baseline in mirroring of others' actions as measured by TMS [ Time Frame: 30 minutes after spray administration ]After a single dose of nasal spray, TMS will be applied to assess basic mirror-motor mapping of observed actions.
- Change from baseline in corticospinal excitability as measured by TMS [ Time Frame: 30 minutes after spray administration ]After a single dose of nasal spray, TMS will be applied to assess corticospinal excitability when the participant is at rest (without any visuomotor information).
- Change from baseline in total fixation duration towards the eye region of the model. [ Time Frame: 30 minutes after spray administration ]During movement observation, participants' viewing behavior will be monitored by means of head-mounted eye tracking technology.
- Change from baseline in saliva-based oxytocin concentrations [ Time Frame: Before and 60 minutes after spray administration ]Saliva samples will be collected before nasal spray administration and after the experimental procedure to be able to monitor the pharmacokinetics of oxytocin.
- Change from baseline in Public Self-Awareness Score on Situational Self-Awareness Scale (SSAS) [ Time Frame: 60 minutes after spray administration ]Informant-based self-report scale to assess public self-awareness in a specific situation as measured by SSAS. Likert scale: I totally agree (1) - I totally disagree (10); lower scores indicate more public self-awareness.
- Change from baseline in Arousal and Pleasure on the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) [ Time Frame: 60 minutes after spray administration ]Informant-based scale to assess self-reported arousal and pleasure in a specific situation as measured by SAM. Likert scale: Pleasant / Not aroused (1) - Unpleasant / Aroused (9). Higher scores indicate more arousal and less pleasure.
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
| Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 35 Years (Adult) |
| Sexes Eligible for Study: | Male |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male
- Young adults (between 18 - 35 y/o)
- Right-handed
- Official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (for ASD participants)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Female
- Left-handed
- Any neuro(psycho)logical / psychiatric illness (for healthy controls)
- Motor dysfunctions of the hands / arms
- Any contradiction to TMS research as assessed with the TMS screening list: no metal objects in the body (e.g. pacemaker, coronary bypass clips, implants, medication pumps, ...), history of brain trauma in the past (e.g. meningitis, epilepsy, surgery, ...) or history of drug and/or alcohol abuse.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03640156
| Belgium | |
| Katholieke Universiteit Leuven | |
| Leuven, Belgium, 3000 | |
| Principal Investigator: | Kaat Alaerts | KU Leuven |
Publications:
| Responsible Party: | Kaat Alaerts, Professor, KU Leuven |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03640156 |
| Other Study ID Numbers: |
S56327c |
| First Posted: | August 21, 2018 Key Record Dates |
| Last Update Posted: | February 5, 2020 |
| Last Verified: | February 2020 |
| Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
| Plan to Share IPD: | No |
| Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
| Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
|
Oxytocin Eye Contact Mirror System Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation |
|
Autistic Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Neurodevelopmental Disorders Mental Disorders |
Oxytocin Oxytocics Reproductive Control Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs |