Social cognition is impaired in people with
schizophrenia and these deficits are strongly correlated with social functioning.
Oxytocin is a hypothalamic
peptide that contributes to maternal infant bonding and has diverse pro-social effects in adults. This study tested the hypothesis that 12weeks of intranasal
oxytocin will improve social cognitive function in outpatients with
schizophrenia and
schizoaffective disorder. Sixty-eight eligible participants were randomized to
oxytocin (24IU twice daily) or placebo. Social cognitive function was assessed using the Emotion Recognition-40, Brüne Theory of Mind, Reading the Mind in the Eyes test, Trustworthiness task and Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire at baseline, 6weeks and 12weeks. In addition, social function was assessed using the Specific Levels of Functioning Scale and a role-play test, and psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Fifty-five participants completed the 12-week trial. The study found no evidence for a differential advantage of
oxytocin over placebo on social cognition. Among secondary outcomes, there was a modest advantage for
oxytocin over placebo on a component of social functioning, although there was also evidence that the placebo group outperformed the
oxytocin group on the role-play task. No between-group differences emerged on measures of psychopathology in pre-specified comparisons, but
oxytocin showed significant within-group reduction in PANSS negative symptoms and significant between-group improvement in negative symptoms in the
schizophrenia subgroup. Further testing is needed to clarify whether
oxytocin has therapeutic potential for social cognitive deficits and/or negative symptoms in people with
schizophrenia.