Could a common ADHD drug reawaken motivation?
NCT ID NCT07771595
First seen Aug 18, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial explores whether a single dose of atomoxetine, a drug used for ADHD, can enhance motivation and information processing in healthy adults with varying levels of apathy. Participants will complete computer tasks measuring effort, reward, and decision-making after taking either the drug or a placebo. The goal is to see if boosting noradrenaline in the brain can improve the motivational processes that are often impaired in apathy.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Atomoxetine (a single 40 mg oral dose)
- What this could lead to
- If atomoxetine improves motivation-related brain processes, it could point toward a treatment for apathy in people with neuropsychiatric disorders.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study in healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to patients. Atomoxetine can cause side effects like dry mouth, nausea, or increased heart rate.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
-
About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Oct 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 45 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 18-45 * Good physical health * Willing and able to give informed consent to participate in the study * Sufficient knowledge of English language to understand and complete the study tasks Exclusion Criteria: * Current DSM-5 axis-I diagnosis (based on SCID results at screening) or history of a severe psychological disorder such as psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol or substance abuse, or post-traumatic stress disorder * Previous or current extended period of persistent thoughts about ending one's life (longer than 5 days) or previous suicide attempt * Clinical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or on the waiting list for assessment * Any intake of CNS-medication in the last 6 weeks (including as part of another study) * Any current intake of blood pressure or other heart medication, including beta blockers * Any current or previous medical condition or medication intake (last month) of any medication that, in the opinion of the study medic, may interfere with the safety of the participant or the scientific integrity of the study. * Severely underweight (BMI \<17) or very obese (BMI \>40), OR otherwise deemed unsuitable for the study due to weight-related concerns at the discretion of the study medic * History of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular disease * Breathing or lung-related illnesses, significant liver or kidney problems, or severe gastrointestinal conditions. * High blood pressure (defined as repeated measurements of blood pressure where either the systolic or the diastolic blood pressure, or both, are at or above 140/90 mmHg (https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehy339) * History of recurrent rashes or history of allergic reactions to relevant substances (atomoxetine, placebo treatment) * Significant physical (including visual and auditory) or language impairment that would make complying with the study protocol challenging. * History of palpitations with sudden onset and offset, * History of fainting on exertion or in response to fright or loud noise * Family history of sudden death in a first-degree relative under 40 years of age * Women: pregnancy (as determined by a urine test), breast-feeding * Significant consumption of caffeine (more than about 6 cups of strong coffee per day), nicotine (more than 5 cigarettes per day, or equivalent amount), alcohol (more than two pints of beer a day or equivalent) * Participation in a study that involves the use of medication in the past 3 months * Participation in another study using similar tasks in the past 6 months
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for APATHY are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can brain scans unlock the mystery of apathy?
- Brain zaps could reignite motivation in stroke survivors
- Brain scans aim to unlock the mystery of Post-Stroke apathy
- Scientists use video and sensors to objectively measure apathy
- ADHD Drug's secret power: boosting motivation in healthy brains?
- Study links apathy to different fatigue types in seniors