Intranasal Oxytocin Intervention for Caregivers to Persons With Dementia

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Phase 2

Enrollment

32 participants (estimated)

Sponsor

University of Nebraska · Other

Design

Randomized · Triple masking

Countries

1 country

United States

Start

20 Jun 2026 (estimated)

Primary completion

May 2027 (estimated)

Completion

Jun 2027 (estimated)

First posted

15 Apr 2024

Last update posted

5 May 2026

Conditions

Stress

More than 15 million family caregivers provide support for individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or related dementias. This number is expected to grow with the increasing population of persons with dementia (PWD). Stress in caregivers to older adults with chronic diseases is already a significant public health issue because it is associated with multiple negative physical and mental health outcomes for the caregiver (e.g., depression, cardiovascular disease) and can negatively impact the health of the PWD as well. Importantly, stress levels are even higher in female than male caregivers and in caregivers to PWD than other chronic conditions that affect older adults. There are numerous interventions to improve well-being in caregivers to PWD, but only two have been shown to moderately improve caregiver depression and quality of life in the PWD. However, both of the interventions are time and energy intensive. One promising candidate to reduce stress and improve quality of life is the endogenous neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT). Intranasal OXT interventions have been shown to successfully reduce stress and increase quality of life in other populations, including patients with borderline personality disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder. This study will assess the efficacy and safety of intranasal oxytocin (OXT) to improve the quality of life and reduce chronic stress levels in the caregivers to PWD. Participants will be randomly enrolled to one of three groups: 12 IU intranasal oxytocin, 24 IU intranasal oxytocin or placebo. The study drug will be administered daily for 21 days.

• Placebo comparator

  Intranasal Spray Placebo

  Nasal spray of placebo liquid solution is administered as 2 puffs of daily dose (every morning) for 3 weeks. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan will be done pre- and post-administration.

• Active comparator

  Oxytocin Intranasal Spray 12 International Units

  Nasal spray of Oxytocin 12 International Units (12IU) liquid solution as 2 puffs of daily dose (every morning) for 3 weeks. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan pre- and post-administration.

• Active comparator

  Oxytocin Intranasal Spray 24 International Units

  Nasal spray of Oxytocin 24 International Units (24IU) liquid solution as 2 puffs of daily dose (every morning) for 3 weeks. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan pre- and post-administration.

1. Chronic Stress Level in the Past Thirty Days

   Time frame · Baseline (Visit 1) and Post-intervention (Visit 2)

   Registry description

   Participant's chronic ctress levels in the past thirty Days will be assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) which asks ten questions about participant stress within the last 30 days. The questions are scored from 0 ("never") to 4 ("very often) with specific items needing to be reverse scored. Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress (a worse outcome). The instrument takes about 5 minutes to complete.