Target Engagement for Oxytocin: Dose Ranging Study

Target Engagement for Oxytocin: Response to 8 Doses

This study will evaluate the effect of 8 doses of intranasal oxytocin or placebo on two proposed measures of target engagement in brain. The targets are (1) the suppression of a particular wave form (mu) on the electroencephalogram (EEG) while subjects observe a socially relevant form of motion and (2) pupil dilation will subjects identify faces showing different emotions.

Subjects with schizophrenia spectrum disorders will be randomly assigned to one of 8 doses of oxytocin. After screening and informed consent subjects will receive either their assigned dose or a placebo. Thirty minutes following the drug administration patients will be evaluated on the EEG and pupillometry tasks followed by two tests that evaluate social salience. One week later subjects will have a second challenge in the alternative (drug or placebo) condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder
• Able to cooperate with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious medical condition or substance use
• Pregnancy