Can a 'Love Hormone' spray help schizophrenia symptoms?
NCT ID NCT07265180
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether an oxytocin nasal spray, given before mindfulness-based group therapy, can reduce negative symptoms in people with schizophrenia. Negative symptoms include lack of motivation, social withdrawal, and reduced emotional expression. The trial will compare two different doses of oxytocin against a placebo in 120 participants, and will also look at genetic factors that might influence the response.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- oxytocin nasal spray
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a better way to reduce negative symptoms like social withdrawal and lack of motivation in schizophrenia.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with only 120 people. Previous results have been inconsistent, and the effect may depend on individual genetics or context.
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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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 120 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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Nov 2026
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 to 75 years
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Declaration of consent * Psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia (ICD-10: F2x.x spectrum) for group of patients * Mild to moderate positive symptoms (5 ≤ Positive symptoms on individual items using P-PANSS) * German should either be the native language or spoken at a native level * No change in systematically recorded psychopharmacological medication in the last 2 weeks before study inclusion Exclusion Criteria: * Acute psychotic episode with severe positive symptoms (ICD-10: F2 spectrum, 6 ≥ positive symptoms on individual items using P-PANSS) * Acute suicidality * Acute consumption phase of a substance dependence, except nicotine * No severe physical impairments, neurological diseases and e.g. severe craniocerebral trauma e.g. early childhood brain damage * Pregnancy and breastfeeding * Current acute electroconvulsive therapy If one of the following criteria applies to the participants, we will conduct an individual consultation in advance to determine whether participation in the study is possible: * Overweight or underweight (body mass index (BMI) \< 17.5 or \> 30) * Disease of the endocrine system * Impaired kidney or liver function * Metabolic diseases * Asthma * Change in blood potassium or sodium levels
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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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Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Campus Charité Mitte
RECRUITINGBerlin, State of Berlin, 12203, Germany
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