Effect of oxytocin nasal spray on auditory automatic discrimination measured by mismatch negativity

Rationale As a treatment for cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, oxytocin nasal sprays potentially improve social cognition, facial expression recognition, and sense of smell. Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an event-related potential (ERP) reflecting auditory discrimination while MMN deficits reflect cognitive function decline in schizophrenia. Objectives To determine whether oxytocin nasal spray affects auditory MMN Methods We measured ERPs in healthy subjects during an auditory oddball task, both before and after oxytocin nasal spray administration. Forty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to either the oxytocin or placebo group. ERPs were recorded during the oddball task for all subjects before and after a 24 international unit (IU) intranasal administration, and MMN was compared between the two groups. Results Participants who received oxytocin had significantly shorter MMN latencies than those who received a placebo. Oxytocin had no significant effect on the Change in MMN amplitude. Conclusions The shortened MMN latencies that were observed after oxytocin nasal spray administration suggest that oxytocin may promote the comparison-decision stage.