This clinical trial is focused on studying the effects of the hormone oxytocin on trust and learning in healthy children aged 9 to 13 years. Oxytocin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body, often associated with social bonding and trust. The study will use a nasal spray form of oxytocin, known as Syntocinon, to see how it influences trust and learning behaviors. Additionally, a simple saline solution, NaCl 0.9% nose drops, will be used as a comparison.

The purpose of the study is to explore how oxytocin affects trust learning and cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to adapt to new situations or changes. The study will involve activities that simulate real-life situations using virtual reality to observe how children learn to trust. Another task, called the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task, will be used to see if oxytocin affects basic learning processes. This task helps researchers understand how children adjust their behavior when the rules of a game change.

Throughout the study, researchers will compare the behaviors of children who receive oxytocin with those who receive the placebo. They will look at how oxytocin might change the way children learn and trust others. The study aims to provide insights into whether oxytocin can influence social learning and behavior in children. The trial is expected to continue until March 2026.