Nitrous Oxide and EMOtional Cognition

Summary

The goal of this study is to uncover the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms of nitrous oxide, which may be relevant to its reported antidepressant effects. In particular, the study is designed to determine whether nitrous oxide changes the way in which healthy volunteers aged 18-40 years remember negative autobiographical memories. The main question the study aims to answer is: • Does nitrous oxide interfere with the emotional aspects of negative autobiographical memories? Other neuropsychological effects will also be assessed (e.g., emotional processing, emotional memory, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility). Researchers will compare ENTONOX (50% nitrous oxide: 50% oxygen) with medical air. Participants will: * Attend three research visits (screening, inhalation, follow-up) * Take part in a 30 minute inhalation session of ENTONOX or medical air * Complete a series of cognitive tasks * Finish a series of self-report questionnaires

Timeline

Start

2024-07-10

Primary completion

2025-08-15

Completion

2025-10-01

Drugs

Indications