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Neurotransmitter

Vasopressin for Acute Pain

Phase 1 & 2
Recruiting
Led By Luana Colloca, MD/PHD/MS
Research Sponsored by University of Maryland, Baltimore
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be older than 18 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up day 2, the average of 24 trials of painful stimulations with each stimulation lasting 20 seconds

Summary

This trial investigates how the neurotransmitter vasopressin influences the perception of pain through observational learning.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 18-55 who experience acute pain. It's designed to understand how a neurotransmitter involved in social interactions, vasopressin, affects learning about pain relief from watching others and how this influences personal pain perception.
What is being tested?
Participants will receive either vasopressin or saline via nasal spray. They'll then watch videos showing others experiencing pain relief during an fMRI scan to see if observing these scenarios can influence their own sensation of pain through learned expectations.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects may include discomfort from the nasal spray or reactions at the administration site. The fMRI procedure is non-invasive but may cause feelings of claustrophobia or discomfort due to loud noises during scanning.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~day 2, the average of 24 trials of painful stimulations with each stimulation lasting 20 seconds
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and day 2, the average of 24 trials of painful stimulations with each stimulation lasting 20 seconds for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in BOLD Singal in Supplementary Motor Area Compared to Whole Brain Average During the Painful Stimulation
Secondary study objectives
Heating Temperature
Pain Ratings
Other study objectives
Implicit Association Test (IAT) Response Latency Difference

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Arginine vasopressinExperimental Treatment3 Interventions
Under direction of a research team member, participants will self-administer intranasal vasopressin shortly before beginning the fMRI experiment. The of AVP will be 40IU. The quantity per unit (1 mL) of Arg8-vasopressin synthetic, manufactured by Polypeptide Group Inc. (http://www.polypeptide.com) was 0.323 mg. This amount was diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride (B. Broun Medical Inc.).
Group II: SalinePlacebo Group3 Interventions
Under direction of a research team member, participants will self-administer intranasal normal saline shortly before beginning the fMRI experiment. Investigators, staff, and participants were blinded to the treatment options. Each of the agents will be administrated by means of a nasal spray. Participants will be instructed by a nurse/PI to self-administer the nasal spray as follows: one spray in each nostril alternating sides, 30 seconds apart for a total of two sprays per nostril.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Arginine vasopressin
2008
Completed Phase 3
~60

Find a Location

Logistics

Participation is compensated

You will be compensated for participating in this trial.

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of Maryland, BaltimoreLead Sponsor
716 Previous Clinical Trials
381,019 Total Patients Enrolled
3 Trials studying Acute Pain
410 Patients Enrolled for Acute Pain
Luana Colloca, MD/PHD/MSPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Maryland Baltimore School of Nursing
1 Previous Clinical Trials
3 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Acute Pain
3 Patients Enrolled for Acute Pain
~17 spots leftby Jun 2026