Official Title

Oxytocin vs. Placebo for the Treatment Hyperphagia in Children and Adolescents With Prader-Willi Syndrome
  • Phase

    Phase 2
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Intervention/Treatment

    oxytocin ...
  • Study Participants

    23
The investigators propose a randomized double-blind 8 week treatment trial of intranasal oxytocin (IN-OXT) vs. placebo in 24 subjects aged 5 to 18 years with PWS in order to assess IN-OXT's affect on (1) Eating behaviors (2) Repetitive and disruptive behaviors and (3) Salivary OXT levels.
The investigators propose to conduct a treatment study of intranasal oxytocin (IN-OXT) vs. placebo in children and adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). OXT has already been proven safe and effective in a treatment study of socialization and disruptive behavior in adults with PWS and is being used in infants with PWS in an ongoing clinical trial. The investigators hypothesize that OXT will be superior to placebo and have a positive effect on child and adolescent PWS eating and repetitive behaviors. Additional knowledge of OXT's ability to reduce overeating could lead to improvement of patient's quality of life and physical health and reduction in familial stress.

The investigators propose a randomized double-blind 8 week treatment trial of intranasal OXT vs. placebo in 24 subjects aged 5 to 18 years with PWS in order to assess IN-OXT's affect on (1) Eating behaviors (2) Repetitive and disruptive behaviors and (3) Salivary OXT levels. If superior to placebo, this data will add to the current knowledge that OXT is an effective treatment for hyperphagia as well as other problematic symptomatology of PWS.
Study Started
Oct 31
2015
Primary Completion
Dec 31
2016
Study Completion
May 31
2018
Results Posted
Oct 07
2021
Last Update
Oct 07
2021

Drug Intranasal Oxytocin (IN-OXT)

Participants were instructed to take 16 IU/per day everyday (2 puffs per nostril, 4 IU each puff).

  • Other names: Syntocinon

Other Matched Placebo

Participants were instructed to take 16 IU/per day everyday (2 puffs per nostril, 4 IU each puff).

Intranasal Oxytocin Experimental

Participants were instructed to take 16 IU/per day everyday (2 puffs per nostril, 4 IU each puff).

Matched Placebo Placebo Comparator

Participants were instructed to take 16 IU/per day everyday (2 puffs per nostril, 4 IU each puff).

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Male or Female child outpatients aged 5 to 18 years
Diagnosis of PWS confirmed by genetic testing and patient medical records and history
Stable pharmacologic, educational, behavioral and/or dietary interventions for 4 weeks prior to the study start, and for the duration of the study.
Have a physical exam and laboratory results that are within the norms for PWS
Have a parent/caregiver/guardian that is able to consent for their participation and complete assessments regarding the child's development and behavior improvement throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Exposure to any investigational agent in the 30 days prior to randomization
Prior chronic treatment with oxytocin.
A primary psychiatric diagnosis other than ASD, including bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, PTSD or major depressive disorder. These patients will be excluded due to potential confounding results.
Pregnant or lactating patients. IN-OXT has not been studied in pregnant or lactating women.
A medical condition that might interfere with the conduct of the study, confound interpretation of study results or endanger their own well-being.
Plan to initiate or change nonpharmacologic or pharmacologic interventions during the course of the study.
Females using an estrogen-based contraceptive. As an alternative to an estrogen based contraceptive, subjects will be counseled to use progesterone-based contraceptives; cervical caps; cervical sponges; or spermicidal foam in combination with a condom. Subjects will need to use a double barrier method to be in the study.

Summary

Matched Placebo

Intranasal Oxytocin (IN-OXT)

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term Intranasal Oxytocin (IN-OXT) Matched Placebo

Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ)- Total Score

The Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ)- Total Score. The HQ is a 11-item clinician-rated instrument that was designed to measure food related behaviors in PWS. Items map onto 3 subscales; Hyperphagic Behavior, Hyperphagic Drive, and Hyperphagia Severity. The subscales are summed together to compute the Total Score. The Total Score ranges from 11-55, with higher scores indicating more hyperphagia and a worse outcome.

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

27.91
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 10.77

Week 4

27.4
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 9.85

Week 8

26.91
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 11.67

Matched Placebo

Baseline

30.58
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.08

Week 4

23.33
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.41

Week 8

25.09
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 9.86

Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ)- Behavior Factor Score

The Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ)- Behavior Factor Score assesses food seeking behaviors (e.g., stealing food). The Behavior Factor Score ranges from 5-25, with higher scores indicating more hyperphagic behaviors and a worse outcome.

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

9.55
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.01

Week 4

9.4
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.27

Week 8

9.64
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.9

Matched Placebo

Baseline

9.75
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.47

Week 4

7.22
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.64

Week 8

8.09
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.25

Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ)- Drive Factor Score

The Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ)- Drive Factor Score assesses the persistence in asking for food. The Drive Factor Score ranges from 4-20, with higher scores indicating higher hyperphagic drive and a worse outcome

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

10.82
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.81

Week 4

11.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.03

Week 8

10.36
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.84

Matched Placebo

Baseline

13.58
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.44

Week 4

10.44
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.46

Week 8

10.55
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.48

Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ) -Severity Factor Score

The Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ)- Severity Factor Score assesses the severity of hyperphagia. The Severity Factor Score ranges from 2-10, with higher scores indicating higher severity.

Intranasal Oxytocin (IN-OXT)

Baseline

7.55
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.62

Week 4

7.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.54

Week 8

6.91
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.74

Matched Placebo

Baseline

7.25
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.09

Week 4

5.67
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.45

Week 8

6.45
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.54

Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Ritualistic Behavior Factor Score

The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Ritualistic Behavior Factor Score assesses ritualistic behaviors. Scores range from 0-18, with higher scores indicating more ritualistic behaviors and a worse outcome.

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

6.27
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 3.74

Week 4

4.5
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 3.84

Week 8

4.9
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 3.73

Matched Placebo

Baseline

9.42
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 5.00

Week 4

6.27
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 3.77

Week 8

6.64
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 4.65

Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Sameness Factor Score

The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Sameness Factor Score assesses the need for sameness in the environment. Scores range from 0-33, with higher scores indicating more need for sameness and a worse outcome.

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

9.36
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.72

Week 4

6.6
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.25

Week 8

7.3
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.17

Matched Placebo

Baseline

14.17
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.07

Week 4

8.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 6.6

Week 8

7.55
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 7.39

Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Stereotyped Behavior Factor Score

The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Stereotyped Behavior Factor Score assesses stereotyped behaviors. Scores range from 0-18, with higher scores indicating more stereotyped behaviors and a worse outcome.

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

2.18
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.52

Week 4

2.5
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.76

Week 8

2.2
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.01

Matched Placebo

Baseline

3.33
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.84

Week 4

2.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.53

Week 8

1.09
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1.58

Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Compulsive Behavior Factor Score

The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Compulsive Behavior Factor Score assesses compulsive behaviors. Scores range from 0-24, with higher scores indicating more compulsive behaviors and a worse outcome.

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

5.18
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 6.9

Week 4

4.9
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.69

Week 8

4.5
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.99

Matched Placebo

Baseline

7.5
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4.89

Week 4

5.27
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.24

Week 8

5.09
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.41

Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Self-Injurious Factor Score

The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Self-Injurious Factor Score assesses self-injurious behaviors. Scores range from 0-24, with higher scores indicating more self-injurious behaviors and a worse outcome.

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

5.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.97

Week 4

4.4
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.76

Week 8

4.4
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.46

Matched Placebo

Baseline

2.82
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.86

Week 4

3.45
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.68

Week 8

3.36
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.78

Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Restricted Interest Factor Score

The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) Restricted Interest Factor Score assesses restricted interests. Scores range from 0-12, with higher scores indicating more restricted interests and a worse outcome.

Intranasal Oxytocin

Baseline

3.27
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 3.55

Week 4

2.2
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.81

Week 8

2.1
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 2.13

Matched Placebo

Baseline

5.17
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 3.27

Week 4

4.0
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 3.13

Week 8

3.73
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 3.82

Total

23
Participants

Age, Continuous

8.87
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.68

Baseline BMI

20.92
kg/m^2 (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.47

Baseline Height (cm)

132.92
cm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 26.11

Baseline Weight (kg)

40.25
kg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 17.89

Hyperphagia Questionnaire (HQ)-Total

29.3
score on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 9.34

Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)

Race (NIH/OMB)

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Intranasal Oxytocin

Matched Placebo