What this study is
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study of single-dose intranasal oxytocin (6 IU and 24 IU) vs. placebo in adult men and women (aged 18 years and above) with arginine-vasopressin deficiency to evaluate the effect of oxytocin on anxiety, depression, and socioemotional functioning (Part A), with an optional randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-week repeated dose substudy of intranasal oxytocin 6 IU or placebo (Part B).
Following a screening visit to determine eligibility, participants will return for three main study visits in Part A. During the main study visits, study participants will receive either oxytocin or placebo, followed by assessments of emotional behavior.
In Part A, thirty participants will be equally randomized to one of six possible groups:
1. 6 IU oxytocin - 24 IU oxytocin - placebo 2. 6 IU oxytocin - placebo - 24 IU oxytocin 3. 24 IU oxytocin - 6 IU oxytocin - placebo 4. 24 IU oxytocin - placebo - 6 IU oxytocin 5. placebo - 6 IU oxytocin - 24 IU oxytocin 6. placebo - 24 IU oxytocin - 6 IU oxytocin
Following completion of the Part A crossover portion of the study, in Part B participants may also choose to continue participation in an optional, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled substudy of intranasal oxytocin 6 IU or placebo three times a day for two weeks, followed by assessments of emotional behavior.
What's being tested
- Intranasal Oxytocin (IN-OXT) 6 IU single dose
Intervention · DRUG
Part A: 6 IU single dose
- Intranasal Oxytocin (IN-OXT) 6 IU repeat dose
Intervention · DRUG
Part B: IN-OXT 6 IU three times a day for 2 weeks
- Placebo repeat dose
Intervention · DRUG
Part B: Intranasal placebo three times a day for 2 weeks
- Intranasal Oxytocin (IN-OXT) 24 IU single dose
Intervention · DRUG
Part A: 24 IU single dose
- Placebo single dose
Intervention · DRUG
Part A: placebo single dose
Study details
- Official title
- Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin in Patients With Arginine-vasopressin Deficiency - A Pilot Study
- Sponsor
- Elizabeth Austen Lawson
- Conditions
- Vasopressin Deficiency
- Enrolling
- 40 people
- Starts
- 2025-09-10
- Est. completion
- 2027-06
- Design
- Quadruple-blind, randomized, crossover, Phase 1
- Record
- View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Who can join
Age 18 Years and overSex ALLHealthy volunteers Not acceptedYou may qualify if
- Age 18 and above
- Arginine-vasopressin deficiency
- Normal FT4
- Normal serum/plasma sodium
- Stable hormone replacement
You can't join if
- Active substance use disorder within the last 6 months
- History of psychosis
- Suicidal behavior and/or active suicidal ideation with plan and/or intent, e.g., suicidal ideation of type 4 or type 5 as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), in the last month
- Medication changes that could interfere with study procedures or endpoints per study physician discretion
- History of chronic nasal obstruction or local pathology in nostril pathway which, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent appropriate nasal administration of the study drug.
- History of clinically relevant ventricular arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- History of chronic kidney disease stage III and above
- History of liver cirrhosis
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding within the last 8 weeks
- Unwilling to use a medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the study period (female of child-bearing potential only)
- Any significant illness, condition, drug or medical device that the Investigator determines could interfere with study participation, data collection, or safety
Sign in and we'll check these against your records.Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Study locations (1)
1 openMassachusetts General Hospital, Neuroendocrine Unit
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Elizabeth A Lawson, MD, MMSc · Contact(617) 726-3870ealawson@mgh.harvard.edu
- Elisa Asanza, MSN, MPH · Contact617-726-3870easanza@mgh.harvard.edu
- Elizabeth A Lawson, MD, MMSc · Principal investigator
Recruiting
Study team
Sponsor
Elizabeth Austen Lawson
Study ID 2020P003071
Principal investigator
Elizabeth A Lawson, MD, MMSc
Massachusetts General Hospital
Frequently asked questions
The sponsor hasn't published answers to common questions for this trial.