Effects of nitrous oxide on emotional memory

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates how nitrous oxide may influence emotional cognition, particularly focusing on its effects on negative autobiographical memories in healthy volunteers aged 18-40. Participants will undergo a 30-minute inhalation session of either ENTONOX (a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen) or medical air, followed by cognitive tasks and self-report questionnaires. The research aims to uncover the neuropsychological mechanisms behind nitrous oxide's potential antidepressant effects by assessing various cognitive processes such as emotional processing, memory reconsolidation, and cognitive flexibility.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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

Where it's running

• Psychiatry Department
  Oxford, United Kingdom Recruiting

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.