Could a nasal spray ease anxiety in a rare hormone disorder?
NCT ID NCT04789148
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This pilot study is testing whether an oxytocin nasal spray can help with anxiety, depression, and social functioning in adults with arginine-vasopressin deficiency, a rare hormone disorder. In the first part, 30 participants will receive single doses of oxytocin or placebo and complete emotional behavior tests. An optional second part will test repeated doses over two weeks. The study is small and early-stage, so results will be preliminary.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- intranasal oxytocin
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to manage emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression in people with vasopressin deficiency.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early pilot study with only 40 participants, so results may not be conclusive. The effects of oxytocin on mood are still uncertain, and side effects are possible.
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
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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 and above * Arginine-vasopressin deficiency * Normal FT4 or T4 * Normal serum/plasma sodium * Stable hormone replacement Exclusion Criteria: * Active substance use disorder within the last 6 months * History of psychosis * Suicidal behavior and/or active suicidal ideation with plan and/or intent, e.g., suicidal ideation of type 4 or type 5 as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), in the last month * Medication changes within 4 weeks of enrollment or planned medication changes during the study * History of chronic nasal obstruction or local pathology in nostril pathway which, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent appropriate nasal administration of the study drug. * History of cardiac disease, including arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, coronary artery spasms, valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (hypertension is not exclusionary) * History of chronic kidney disease stage III and above * History of liver cirrhosis * Pregnancy or breastfeeding within the last 8 weeks * Unwilling to use a medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the study period (female of child-bearing potential only) * Any significant illness, condition, drug or medical device that the Investigator determines could interfere with study participation, data collection, or safety
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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.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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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
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Massachusetts General Hospital, Neuroendocrine Unit
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States