Effect of Nitrous Oxide on Aggression.

Recruiting now · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Intermittent Explosive Disorder

In brief

The goal of this experimental medicine clinical trial is to test the hypothesis that nitrous oxide inhalation will result in a change in neurocircuit function in healthy controls and in individuals with impulsive aggressive tendencies. The main question aims to answer are: Does Nitrous Oxide normalize brain circuit function in impulsively aggressive individuals 24 hours after inhalation. Participants will undergo a 60 minute inhalation session with 50% Nitrous Oxide (or room air at another session) and then undergo an fMRI scan 24 hours later. Researchers will compare healthy controls and impulsively aggressive individuals to see if Nitrous Oxide can normalize the function of cortico-limbic circuits in the latter group.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06118567

Run by

Ohio State University

People needed

50

Starts

2022-09-06

Expected to finish

2027-08-31

Last updated by the study team

2025-03-27

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• All participants:
• Between 21 and 55 years of age.
• Physically healthy (no clinically significant medical condition as confirmed by medical history/physical exam).
• Able to give informed consent.
• Aggressive (IED) Study Participants (n = 25 Completed; 75 Enrolled).
• Current DSM-5 Criteria for IED
• LHA Aggression scores > 12
• Negative for a history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, developmental disorder, intellectual disability or a current substance use disorder.
• Healthy, Non-Aggressive, Controls (n = 25 Completed, 75 Enrolled).
• Do not meet current/lifetime DSM-5 Criteria for any psychiatric disorder
• LHA aggression scores < 12

You may not qualify if…

• PCL Screening Version Score > 13; i.e., subject is likely to be psychopathic.32
• Current DSM-5 Major Depressive Episode.
• Life history of bipolar disorder/schizophrenia/organic mental syndrome.
• Intellectual disability [i.e., IQ < 70].
• History of N2O abuse/dependence.
• Clinically significant medical condition.
• Current alcohol/drug use disorder of moderate or severe severity (i.e., subject is not in full remission from moderate to severe alcohol/drug use).
• Two weeks free of antipsychotic medication. (Note: Because a large number of individuals with aggressive tendencies in the community are already taking SSRIs, SNRIs, or mood stabilizers, these individuals will not be excluded if they continue to report impulsive aggressive behaviors at time of study.)
• Unwilling/unable to sign informed consent document.

Where it is running

• Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — Columbus, Ohio, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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