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RECRUITING
NCT07267559
PHASE4

Dual Orexin Antagonism and Emotion and Affective Processing Study

Sponsor: University of Oxford

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

In this study, the investigators will examine the effects of blocking the orexin system on human behaviour and brain function using daridorexant, a medication that inhibits orexin activity. Orexin is a brain chemical involved in regulating sleep, emotion, motivation, and stress responses, which are often disrupted in mental health disorders. Healthy volunteers will be randomly assigned to receive a single dose of daridorexant or placebo in a double-blind design. Participants will then complete behavioural and cognitive tasks assessing emotional processing, aversive learning, and executive function. The study aims to clarify the role of orexin in emotional and cognitive processes relevant to conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Official title: An Investigation of the Effects of Dual Orexin Antagonism on Emotional Processing and Learning in Healthy Individuals

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

18 Years - 40 Years

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

62

Start Date

2025-10-01

Completion Date

2026-10-01

Last Updated

2026-03-19

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Interventions

DRUG

Daridorexant 50 mg

Acute (single dose) daridorexant encapsulated in an opaque capsule. Oral administration. Daridorexant (brand name Quviviq) is FDA-approved for the treatment of insomnia in adults.

OTHER

Placebo

Lactose film-coated tablet will be encapsulated in an opaque capsule (identical to the experimental arm drug).

Locations (1)

Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom