This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of single-dose intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) in 18-55 year-old men with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Following a screening visit to determine eligibility, participants will return for two main study visits. During the main study visits, study participants will receive either oxytocin (Syntocinon® nasal spray, Victoria Pharmacy, Zürich, Switzerland) or placebo (inactive ingredients of Syntocinon® nasal spray, Victoria Pharmacy), followed by assessments of cognitive control over attention and behavior. Twenty-four participants will be randomized 1:1 to one of two drug orders, i.e., oxytocin - placebo or placebo - oxytocin. In an additional neuroimaging substudy, a subset of participants will undergo task-based and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) following oxytocin/placebo administration to investigate the effects of oxytocin on fMRI activation and functional connectivity within the cognitive control network.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
24
Single-dose intranasal oxytocin (24 IU; Syntocinon® nasal spray, Victoria Pharmacy, Zürich, Switzerland)
Single-dose intranasal placebo (inactive ingredients of Syntocinon® nasal spray, Victoria Pharmacy, Zürich, Switzerland)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Stop-signal task
Mean difference in performance on the stop-signal task between the oxytocin and placebo visits (e.g., stop-signal reaction time)
Time frame: First and second main study visits (1-4 weeks apart)
AX-CPT
Mean difference in performance on the AX-CPT between the oxytocin and placebo visits (AY and BX responses)
Time frame: First and second main study visits (1-4 weeks apart)
Category switch task
Mean difference in performance on the category switch task between the oxytocin and placebo visits (switch costs and target congruency effect)
Time frame: First and second main study visits (1-4 weeks apart)
Global/local task
Mean difference in performance on the global/local task between the oxytocin and placebo visits (global precedence effect)
Time frame: First and second main study visits (1-4 weeks apart)
Simon task
Mean difference in performance on the Simon task between the oxytocin and placebo visits (Simon effect and Garner effect)
Time frame: First and second main study visits (1-4 weeks apart)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.