Actively Recruiting
Cognitive Effects of Losartan-augmented Behavioural Activation in Anhedonia
Led by University of Oxford · Updated on 2025-07-24
76
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying the effects of combining a blood pressure medication called losartan with behavioural activation therapy on people aged 18 to 65 who have low positive mood. Behavioural Activation (BA) helps improve mood by encouraging involvement in rewarding activities, but those with low positive mood often respond less well. This study aims to see if adding losartan, which may improve how positive information is processed in the brain, can enhance the benefits of BA in these individuals. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 7 days of losartan (50mg oral tablets) with behavioural activation or 7 days of placebo capsules with behavioural activation. Both groups will undergo daily behavioural activation activities for 7 days while taking the assigned medication. The study is double-blinded, meaning neither participants nor researchers know who receives losartan or placebo during the intervention period. During the study, participants will complete computer tasks before and after the 7-day treatment to measure how they process positive and negative information. Researchers will assess changes in learning, social approach decisions, and motivation. The study includes regular monitoring of participants' health and mood. Total participation lasts about one week of active treatment with assessments before and after this period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Combined Blood Pressure Medication and Activity Scheduling for Low Mood
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
- Aged 18-65 years
- Self-reported low levels of positive mood
- Sufficient written and spoken English skills to understand study procedures
- Normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing
- Access to a computer and reliable internet connection
You will not qualify if you...
- Antidepressant treatment or medication in last three months
- Currently receiving cognitive-behavioural therapy with behavioural activation
- History of psychosis or bipolar disorder
- History of substance dependence
- Use of illegal drugs in last 3 months
- First-degree relative with history of psychosis or bipolar disorder
- Current or past hospitalisation for mental health reasons
- BDI-II score >30
- Judged to be currently at clinical risk of suicide
- Past suicide attempt
- CNS-medication last 6 weeks (including in another study)
- Severely underweight or overweight in a manner that renders them unsuitable for the study in the opinion of the study medic
- Current blood pressure or other heart medication
- Diagnosis of intravascular fluid depletion or dehydration
- History of angioedema
- Impaired kidney function (based on self-report)
- Very low blood pressure following established definitions (at least three consecutive measurements of blood pressure under standardised conditions where either the systolic or the diastolic blood pressure or both are below 90/60 mmHg (in accordance with established standard definitions: https://www.nhs.uk/cond...-pressure-hypotension/)
- Current diagnosis of a developmental disorder (e.g. ADHD, Tourette's syndrome, severe learning disability) according to self-report, where in the opinion of the study team such difficulties would likely interfere with compliance or task performance
- Current diagnosis of a neurological disorder (e.g. epilepsy, MS) according to self-report
- 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 put the participant at risk when participating, or may influence compliance or task performance
- Pregnancy (urine pregnancy test during Baseline Visit), breast feeding or plans to become pregnant during study participation
- Heavy use of cigarettes (smoke > 20 cigarettes per day)
- Severe lactose intolerance (due to losartan containing some lactose monohydrate)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 7 days
Participants receive 7 days of behavioural activation combined with daily losartan or placebo medication to assess effects on mood and cognitive processing.
1 baseline visit and 1 follow-up visit
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, OX37JX
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Andrea Reinecke, PhD
R
Rowan Haslam, MSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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