NCT06557642

Nitrous Oxide and EMOtional Cognition

Investigating the Neuropsychological Effects of Nitrous Oxide

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 88 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Oxford · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this study is to uncover the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms of nitrous oxide, which may be relevant to its reported antidepressant effects. In particular, the study is designed to determine whether nitrous oxide changes the way in which healthy volunteers aged 18-40 years remember negative autobiographical memories. The main question the study aims to answer is: • Does nitrous oxide interfere with the emotional aspects of negative autobiographical memories? Other neuropsychological effects will also be assessed (e.g., emotional processing, emotional memory, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility). Researchers will compare ENTONOX (50% nitrous oxide: 50% oxygen) with medical air. Participants will: * Attend three research visits (screening, inhalation, follow-up) * Take part in a 30 minute inhalation session of ENTONOX or medical air * Complete a series of cognitive tasks * Finish a series of self-report questionnaires

Detailed description

Questions regarding the mechanisms of nitrous oxide and its effects on the brain and behaviour in the context of its reported antidepressant effects remain largely unanswered. Thus, in the present study, the investigators aim to elucidate the more general effects that nitrous oxide might have on a series of neurocognitive processes which may be relevant to the treatment of depression. Namely, the study will investigate: 1) reconsolidation of autobiographical memories, 2) measures of emotional processing and emotional memory, 3) response inhibition, 4) cognitive flexibility and 5) sleep stages.

Conditions

• Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Entonox	30 minute inhalation using demand valve and mouthpiece
DRUG	Medical Air	30 minute inhalation using demand valve and mouthpiece

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-07-10
• Primary completion: 2025-08-15
• Completion: 2025-10-01
• First posted: 2024-08-16
• Last updated: 2025-07-31

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom