Modulation of Reinforcement Learning

Modulation of Reinforcement Learning and Neuronal Activation in Ventral Stratum by Oxytocin - a Pilot Study at Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study aims to examine the modulation of neuronal and behavioural parameters of social reinforcement learning.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 26 years
• male
• IQ>80
• written informed consent
• proband understands character, extent and individual consequences of the study
• competent persons who are able to follow the instructions of the study personnel
• for ASD patients: assured ASD diagnosis, comply of the ASD criteria ADI-R/ADOS-G

Exclusion Criteria:

• prosopagnosia
• anaphylaxis of oxytocin or other chemical substances
• metal inside the body or other contraindications of mri scan
• physical illness which can affect the examinations or endanger the proband
• actual or assumed drug or alcohol abuse
• persons who are accommodated in an institution because of court or administrative order
• persons with a relationship of dependence to the sponsor or investigator
• healthy probands: psychiatric disorder according to ICD-10-WHO F at the moment and in history, continuous drug-intake at time of measurements
• patients with ASD: psychiatric disorder according to ICD-10-WHO F (except ASD disorder in patient group) during the last 12 month being not treated, continuous drug-intake at time of measurements (psychotropic medication), exception: stimulants used for treatment of attention disorders, if they can come off for the measurements