Effects of losartan on social processing in healthy volunteers
The Effects of Single-dose Losartan on Social Processing in Healthy Adults: a Randomized Controlled Study
This study tests whether a single dose of losartan can change how healthy people respond to social situations, like recognizing facial expressions, compared to a placebo.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 68 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Oxford, Oxfordshire) |
| Trial ID | NCT06624904 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates how a single dose of losartan (50mg) affects social processing in healthy individuals compared to a placebo. It aims to explore the role of the renin-angiotensin system in social cognition, particularly how it may influence responses to social stimuli. Participants will engage in computer tasks designed to assess their social approach and avoidance behaviors in response to various facial expressions. The study will include 58 healthy volunteers and will be conducted in a double-blind, randomized manner to ensure unbiased results.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18-50 who can provide informed consent and meet specific health criteria.
Not a fit: Patients with current or severe psychiatric disorders or those on certain medications may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into new treatments for social functioning impairments in psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of the renin-angiotensin system in social processing is relatively novel, previous studies have indicated potential benefits of losartan in related areas.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Willing and able to provide informed consent * Aged 18-50 years * Sufficient written and spoken English skills to understand what the study involves, and to complete the questionnaires * Non- or light-smoker (5 cigarettes a day, if vaping: less than 50 puffs) * BMI between 18 - 30 Exclusion Criteria: * Current DSM-5 axis-I diagnosis (based on SCID results at screening) or history of a severe psychological disorder such as psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol or substance abuse, or post-traumatic stress disorder * First-degree family member with severe psychiatric illness (including psychosis, bipolar disorder, unipolar psychotic depression). * CNS-medication last 6 weeks (including as part of another study) * Current blood pressure or other heart medication, including aliskiren and beta blockers) * Diagnosis of intravascular fluid depletion or dehydration * History of angioedema * Impaired kidney function (based on self-report) * Very low blood pressure (defined as repeated (at least three consecutive measurements) measures of blood pressure under standardised conditions where either the systolic or the diastolic blood pressure or both are below 90/50 mmHg (in accordance with established standard definitions) * Lifetime history of epilepsy or other neurological disorder, as established by a professional diagnosis (e.g. autism, ADHD) * Lifetime history of systemic infection, or clinically significant hepatic, cardiac, obstructive respiratory, renal, cerebrovascular, metabolic, endocrine or pulmonary disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the result of the study, or the participant's ability to participate in the study * Significant loss of hearing that is not corrected with a hearing device * Women: pregnancy (as determined by a urine test, if the participant's pregnancy status is unknown during the in-person visit), breast-feeding
Where this trial is running
Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Warneford Hospital — Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Andrea Reinecke, PhD
- Email: andrea.reinecke@psych.ox.ac.uk
- Phone: 01865 618320
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.