Actively Recruiting
The Effects of Single-dose Losartan on Cognitive Flexibility and Learning in Healthy Adults: a Randomised Controlled Study
Led by University of Oxford ยท Updated on 2024-10-04
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Oxford
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute for Health Research, United Kingdom
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how a single dose of losartan (50 mg) affects emotional processing in healthy adults aged 18 to 50 years. This early-phase study explores the role of the renin-angiotensin system, which is involved in blood pressure regulation and is also present in brain areas linked to anxiety and depression. The study aims to understand how this system impacts cognitive functions related to emotional disorders and to identify potential overlaps with treatments for these conditions. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a single oral dose of losartan potassium (50 mg) or a matching placebo capsule. This double-blind, triple-masked study includes 60 healthy volunteers. The effects on emotional learning and cognitive flexibility will be assessed about one hour after taking the capsule. The study compares the impact of losartan versus placebo on several cognitive tasks related to emotional processing. During the study, participants will complete various assessments focused on reinforcement learning, cognitive flexibility, the AAT effect score, and motivational effort in a specific task. These evaluations will occur approximately one hour after treatment intake. The researchers will monitor cognitive responses and emotional processing to understand losartan's potential influence. The entire participation is designed for healthy adults with no major psychiatric or neurological conditions and includes screening for eligibility and informed consent.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Losartan and Emotional Learning
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
- Aged 18-50 years
- Score of or below 45 on the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS)
- Sufficient written and spoken English skills to understand the study and complete questionnaires
- Non- or light-smoker (5 cigarettes a day or less)
You will not qualify if you...
- Past or present DSM-5 axis-I diagnosis other than anxiety disorder, dysthymia, or unipolar depression
- First-degree family member with severe psychiatric illness
- Use of CNS medication in the last 6 weeks
- Current blood pressure or heart medication use
- Diagnosis of intravascular fluid depletion or dehydration
- History of angioedema
- Impaired kidney function
- Very low blood pressure (repeated measures below 90/50 mmHg)
- Lifetime history of epilepsy or other neurological diseases
- History of significant systemic infections or serious organ diseases that may increase risk or affect study results
- Significant hearing loss not corrected by device
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
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 - Single day
Participants receive a single oral dose of losartan potassium or placebo to study its effects on emotional learning and cognitive flexibility.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 1 hour post-dose
Participants complete assessments approximately 1 hour after capsule intake to evaluate reinforcement learning, cognitive flexibility, and motivational effort.
1 visit (in-person)
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
S
Sanika Kulkarni, 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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