Plain-English translation of NCT06557642 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Depression research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
Researchers at the University of Oxford want to understand how nitrous oxide works in the brain and whether it could help treat depression. This study will give you either nitrous oxide or a placebo gas () and then test how it affects your emotional processing, memory, and thinking skills. The goal is to understand the mechanisms behind this treatment's reported antidepressant effects.
Depression affects millions of people, and current treatments don't work for everyone. Early evidence suggests this medication might have antidepressant effects, but scientists don't yet understand exactly how or why it works in the brain. This study aims to fill that gap.
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You will attend multiple visits where you'll receive either nitrous oxide or (placebo) for 30 minutes. During and after this exposure, researchers will ask you to complete brain and thinking tests—such as memory tasks, emotional recognition exercises, and reaction time challenges. Some participants may also be invited to join an optional sleep study add-on that includes heart monitoring overnight.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 5, 2026 · Not medical advice
United Kingdom