Effects of Oxytocin on Emotion Recognition in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Double-Blind Pilot Study

J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2021 Mar-Apr;41(2):103-113. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001367.

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that leads to poor social function. Oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide involved in social cognition, is a potential therapeutic agent for alleviating social dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated the effects of intranasal oxytocin (IN-OXT) on emotional processes in experimental interactive social contexts in individuals with SCZ.

Methods: In a male-only parallel randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial, we investigated the effects of IN-OXT (24 IU) on visual fixation on pictures of faces and emotion recognition in an interactive ball-tossing game that probed processing of social and nonsocial stimuli.

Results: Intranasal oxytocin enhanced the recognition of emotions during an emotion-based ball-tossing game. This improvement was specific to the game that included social cue processing. Intranasal oxytocin did not affect eye gaze duration or gaze dwell time on faces in these patients.

Conclusions: An acute low dose of IN-OXT had a modest effect on social cue processing and was limited to emotion recognition. Higher doses and long-term trials targeting emotional processing in SCZ may lead to improved social function.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01568528.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Emotions*
  • Fixation, Ocular / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxytocin / administration & dosage
  • Oxytocin / pharmacology*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Recognition, Psychology / drug effects*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Social Perception / drug effects

Substances

  • Oxytocin

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01568528