RecruitingEARLY_PHASE1INTERVENTIONAL

Combined Blood Pressure Medication and Activity Scheduling for Low Mood

This study is exploring a new way to help young people who feel low and struggle to enjoy positive things. We're testing if seven days of a blood pressure medicine, losartan, when used with a type of therapy called behavioural activation, can improve how the brain processes good feelings. Behavioural activation helps people get back to enjoyable activities. Right now, some people with low mood don't respond as well to this therapy. Previous research suggests losartan might help the brain process positive experiences better. This study aims to see if combining these two treatments can make behavioural activation more effective for people with low positive mood.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

EARLY_PHASE1

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

Start

08 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Emotional Processing Mood

What is this study about?

This study is investigating a new approach to help young people who are experiencing low mood, especially those who find it hard to feel positive emotions. When people feel very low, a common treatment is called Behavioural Activation (BA). This therapy encourages people to get involved in enjoyable and rewarding activities again, which can help lift their mood.

However, some people with low mood find it particularly difficult to respond to BA because they struggle to process positive feelings. Their brains might not be picking up on and enjoying good experiences as much as they should. Recent research has shown that a medicine called losartan, which is usually used for blood pressure, might help the brain notice and process positive things better in healthy adults. This study wants to see if combining a short course of losartan with BA could make the BA treatment more effective for young people who find it hard to feel positive.

Researchers hope that by improving how the brain deals with positive information, losartan could help people get more out of the behavioural activation therapy and ultimately feel better. This is a "double-blind" study, meaning neither the participants nor the healthcare team will know who is getting losartan and who is getting a placebo (a dummy pill), to ensure fair and accurate results.

Key takeaways

The study explores a new way to help with low mood by combining a blood pressure medicine (losartan) with an activity programme.
It focuses on improving how people process positive feelings.
You would take daily medication (losartan or a dummy pill) for 7 days and do activity-based tasks.
Computer tasks will measure changes in how you process positive and negative information.
This is an early-stage study, so results will help researchers understand how this treatment might work.
The study is 'double-blind', meaning neither you nor the researchers will know which treatment you receive.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be aged between 18 and 65 years old and report that you're currently experiencing low levels of positive mood. You should be able to read and speak English well enough to understand the study, and have access to a computer and the internet. Your eyesight and hearing should be normal or corrected with glasses or hearing aids.

There are certain reasons you might not be able to join. For example, if you've recently been on antidepressant medication, or are currently having certain types of therapy. You also can't take part if you have a history of certain mental health conditions like psychosis or bipolar disorder, or if you've been hospitalised for mental health reasons. If you have very low blood pressure, certain kidney problems, or are on blood pressure or heart medication, you wouldn't be able to participate.

We also can't include people who have used illegal drugs recently, or if there's a history of certain serious mental health conditions in your close family. Finally, if you have a current diagnosis of certain developmental or neurological conditions, or if you've had certain serious infections or medical conditions, you might not be suitable for this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Do you feel low in positive mood right now?
Do you have access to a computer and reliable internet?
Have you avoided antidepressant medication for the last three months?
Do you NOT have a history of conditions like psychosis or bipolar disorder?
Are you NOT currently taking blood pressure or heart medication?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, you'll be one of 76 participants. You'll either receive the blood pressure medication losartan (50mg daily) or a placebo (a dummy pill) for 7 days. During this week, you'll also take part in a short programme of behavioural activation activities.

Before you start, and again after the 7 days, you will complete computer tasks. These tasks are designed to measure how you process positive and negative information. The study will last for a short period, mainly focusing on the 7-day treatment and the before-and-after assessments.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer you the potential benefit of trying a new approach to help with low mood, though there's no guarantee it will improve your specific symptoms. You would also be contributing valuable information that could help others in the future. Potential risks include side effects from losartan, though it's generally well-tolerated. It's important to remember that you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford
Verified postcode
Oxford, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'low positive mood'?

This means you might be finding it hard to feel happy, joyful, or experience pleasure from activities that you normally would enjoy.

What is Behavioural Activation (BA)?

BA is a type of therapy that helps you get more involved in activities that bring you a sense of achievement or pleasure, to improve your mood.

What is losartan and why is it being used?

Losartan is a medicine usually prescribed for high blood pressure. Researchers are investigating if it can also help the brain to better process positive feelings.

Will I know if I'm getting the drug or a dummy pill?

No, this is a 'double-blind' study, meaning neither you nor the study team will know if you're receiving losartan or the placebo until after the study is over.

How long will the study activities take?

The main part of the study involves taking medication or placebo for 7 days, along with brief behavioural activation, and completing computer tasks before and after this period.

How to find out more

Andrea Reinecke, PhD

andrea.reinecke@psych.ox.ac.uk 01865 618320 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.