Adult Study Oxytocin - fMRI

Mechanisms and Effects of Oxytocin on Social Cognition in Schizophrenia - fMRI

In this study, investigators will examine the behavioral effects and neurophysiological mechanisms of the pro-social neuropeptide oxytocin in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia. Such research is a necessary first step towards identifying whether intranasal oxytocin administration can serve as an adjunct treatment for social impairments in schizophrenia.

Aim 1: To examine the effects of exogenous oxytocin on patterns of neural activation as measured by fMRI during a well-characterized affect-labeling task in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia and healthy comparison subjects.

Hypothesis A: Patients will exhibit amygdalar hyperactivity and PNS hypo-activity when passively viewing faces, which will be normalized by administration of oxytocin.

Hypothesis B: Patients will exhibit hypo-activity of the vPFC when affectively labeling faces and this hypo-activity will be normalized by oxytocin administration.

Inclusion Criteria for Patients:

• Male
• SCID-IV confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Clinically stable
• No changes to medications for the past week

Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:

• Male
• SCID-IV confirmed no diagnosis of a current Axis I disorder within the last year

Exclusion Criteria for Patients and Healthy Controls:

• Meeting criteria for current substance abuse or dependence or illicit drug use within the last month (nicotine use is acceptable) as determined by a Urine Toxicology Drug Screening
• Any illness that affects the nasal passages and impairs the delivery of a nasal spray
• Presence of any neurological or significant medical disorder, including medical illnesses that could interfere with physiological recording such as cardiac arrhythmias
• A pacemaker, extensive dental work, or any magnetic metal implants and upper body tattoos
• Pregnancy
• Claustrophpbia
• Hearing difficulties
• A history of seizures
• Failure to receive a passing score on the reading test

Additional Exclusion Criteria for Patients and Healthy Controls:

• Taking any psychotropic medication or any medication that affects the autonomic or cardiovascular systems.
• Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder in a first degree relative
• Failure to receive a passing score on the MOCA