| NCT ID | NCT06557642 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford |
| Condition | Depression |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 88 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-07-10 |
| Primary Completion | 2025-08-15 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 88 participants in total. It began in 2024-07-10 with a primary completion date of 2025-08-15.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The goal of this study is to uncover the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms of nitrous oxide, which may be relevant to its reported antidepressant effects. In particular, the study is designed to determine whether nitrous oxide changes the way in which healthy volunteers aged 18-40 years remember negative autobiographical memories. The main question the study aims to answer is: • Does nitrous oxide interfere with the emotional aspects of negative autobiographical memories? Other neuropsychological effects will also be assessed (e.g., emotional processing, emotional memory, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility). Researchers will compare ENTONOX (50% nitrous oxide: 50% oxygen) with medical air. Participants will: * Attend three research visits (screening, inhalation, follow-up) * Take part in a 30 minute inhalation session of ENTONOX or medical air * Complete a series of cognitive tasks * Finish a series of self-report questionnaires
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18-40 years * Good vision and hearing * Willing and able to give informed consent * Body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18-35kg/m2 (This is to ensure we exclude underweight individuals who might have more substantial reactions to the nitrous oxide). * Sufficiently fluent in English to understand tasks * Willing to avoid drinking any alcohol from 3 days prior to Visit One until the end of Visit Three * Willing to avoid using recreational drugs for 3 months prior to Visit One and throughout the duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: * Receiving or seeking treatment for any mental health condition (covered in Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (SCID) assessment in screening procedures) * History of any mental health condition (covered in SCID assessment in screening procedures) * Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) requiring treatment with stimulant or other centrally-acting drugs * A positive drug test for any of the following: amphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cocaine, marijuana, methadone, methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), morphine, methaqualone, opiates, phencyclidine, propoxyphene, tricyclic antidepressants, tramadol, ketamine, oxycodone, cotinine, 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), fentanyl, synthetic marijuana, 6-mono-acetyl-morphine (6-MAM). * Regularly drink 14 or more units of alcohol a week * Any eye, throat or ear surgery or a medical procedure requiring intravenous injection or line into a vein in the last 6 months * A head injury causing concussion or unconsciousness in the past 6 months * A collapsed lung or lung surgery (e.g., pneumothorax) * A history of cardiac arrhythmias * Current injuries of the face or mouth (including ulcers or dental problems) * Dental surgery in the past month * Deep diving or scuba diving (which has a risk of decompression sickness) in past month * Pregnancy / intention to become pregnant during the study * Breastfeeding during the study * Asthma, emphysema or any medical condition that affects the lungs or breathing * Diagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency * Any use of recreational drugs in the last three months * Participation in any other drug study in the last three months * Participation in any other study with the same tasks in the last year OPTIONAL SLEEP STUDY ADD-ON Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to undergo cardiac monitoring * Unable to wear the sleep patch device for full monitoring period * Implanted neurostimulator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06557642 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 40 Years, studying Depression. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06557642 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06557642 is actively recruiting participants. Visit ClinicalTrials.gov or contact University of Oxford to inquire about joining.
Where is the NCT06557642 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Oxford, United Kingdom.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06557642 clinical trial?
NCT06557642 is sponsored by University of Oxford. The trial plans to enroll 88 participants.
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