title: A pilot six-week randomized controlled trial of oxytocin on social cognition and social skills in schizophrenia.
abstract: The current study explored whether oxytocin can improve social cognition and social skills in individuals with schizophrenia using a six-week, double-blind design. Fourteen participants with schizophrenia were randomized to receive either intranasal oxytocin or a placebo solution and completed a battery of social cognitive, social skills and clinical psychiatric symptom measures. Results showed within group improvements in fear recognition, perspective taking, and a reduction in negative symptoms in the oxytocin group. These preliminary findings indicate oxytocin treatment may help improve certain components of functioning in schizophrenia. Implications for the treatment of social functioning in schizophrenia are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Perry Point VA Medical Center, Perry Point, MD 21902, USA. Electronic address: cmarksgibson@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Clare M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, CB#3270, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Penn
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, CB#7160, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Smedley
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, CB#7160, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leserman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, CB#7160, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, CB#7160, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Cort A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D066107:Social Skills; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: Oxytocin; Schizophrenia; Social cognition; Social functioning