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Hormone Therapy

Oxytocin Nasal Spray for Social Anxiety Disorder

Phase 2
Recruiting
Led By Angela Fang, PhD
Research Sponsored by University of Washington
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be between 18 and 65 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up immediately after the intervention

Summary

This trial is studying if oxytocin, a hormone and chemical messenger in the brain, can help adults with social anxiety disorder learn safety skills when compared to healthy adults. 120 people will take part at the University of Washington.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults aged 18-45 with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and healthy volunteers without psychiatric, neurological, or medical disorders. Women must have regular menstrual cycles and not be on oral contraception. Participants cannot be pregnant, breastfeeding, using drugs, or have a history of serious mental health issues like mania or psychosis.
What is being tested?
The study tests if oxytocin nasal spray can improve social safety learning in people with SAD compared to healthy individuals. Oxytocin affects fear response and social behavior. The effects of the oxytocin spray will be compared to a placebo in about 120 participants at the University of Washington.
What are the potential side effects?
Oxytocin may cause side effects such as irritation at the site of administration, headaches, possible emotional changes due to its role in mood regulation, and allergic reactions although these are generally rare.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~immediately after the intervention
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and immediately after the intervention for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
neural responses (e.g., regional brain activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) to vicariously extinguished cue versus vicariously reinforced cue during reinstatement
Secondary study objectives
skin conductance responses (SCR) to vicariously extinguished cue versus vicariously reinforced cue during reinstatement

Side effects data

From 2019 Phase 1 & 2 trial • 23 Patients • NCT03119610
58%
Dizziness
42%
Allergic Rhinitis
42%
Nausea
33%
Headache
17%
Nasal Irritation
17%
Sore Throat
17%
Lightheaded
8%
Neck Pain
8%
Bruise related to biopsy
8%
Confusion
8%
Skin Rash
8%
Sinus Disorder
8%
Anorexia
8%
Throat itching
8%
Muscle Aches
8%
Upset stomach
8%
Migraine
8%
Decreased Appetite
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Placebo Nasal Spray
Oxytocin Nasal Spray

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: ClinicalExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
This group consists of individuals with at least moderate symptoms of social anxiety disorder. This group will receive either an oxytocin or placebo administration (blind randomization).
Group II: ControlsPlacebo Group1 Intervention
This group consists of a healthy sample of individuals (no lifetime diagnoses of mania or psychotic disorders). This group will receive either an oxytocin or placebo administration (blind randomization).
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Oxytocin nasal spray
2016
Completed Phase 4
~1480

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of WashingtonLead Sponsor
1,826 Previous Clinical Trials
1,906,021 Total Patients Enrolled
Angela Fang, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Washington
1 Previous Clinical Trials
160 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Oxytocin nasal spray (Hormone Therapy) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05968651 — Phase 2
Social Anxiety Disorder Research Study Groups: Clinical, Controls
Social Anxiety Disorder Clinical Trial 2023: Oxytocin nasal spray Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05968651 — Phase 2
Oxytocin nasal spray (Hormone Therapy) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05968651 — Phase 2
Social Anxiety Disorder Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT05968651 — Phase 2
~0 spots leftby Jan 2025