Examining the Effects of CXB722 in Neuroendocrine Stress Response in Healthy Males (CXB722-100)

CeNeRx BioPharma

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 1

Conditions

Anxiety

Stress

Treatments

Drug: Placebo

Drug: CXB722

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00814931

AG0114

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of CXB722 on neuroendocrine stress response and subjective reports related to mood and stress during and after experimentally induced stress among healthy young males.

Full description

Acute stress produces a cascade of physiological and psychological effects, including increased cardiovascular function, increases in circulating levels of stress hormones and neurotransmitter levels, and changes in mood and subjective state. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a standardized, well-validated procedure that was developed in order to provide a controlled method for exposing subjects to a stressor. The TSST consists of a public speaking and a mental arithmetic test performed in the context of a mock job interview.

A drug that could safely block or mitigate the stress response would have multiple applications in medicine, beyond treating anxiety, because stress is associated with many disease states, including cardiovascular disease. The drug being studied, CXB722, is thought to show promise in diminishing the physiologic and psychological effects of stress.

Enrollment

23 patients

Sex

Male

Ages

18 to 34 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Male, 18 to 34 years of age, inclusive, at screening
Able to read, understand and converse in English
Able to read, understand, and provide written, dated informed consent
Willing to refrain from the use of any concomitant medications (including over-the counter (OTC)) and nutritional/herbal supplements and comply with all study requirements
Willing to submit to daily breathalyzer testing each day study medication is administered over the course of the study
In good general health as ascertained by medical history, physical examination (PE) including measurement of vital signs, clinical laboratory evaluations, and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)

Exclusion criteria

Evidence on physical examination or laboratory findings of chronic liver or renal disease or other chronic physical disorders
Evidence of cardiovascular disease on 12 lead ECG, vital signs or laboratory findings
Significant anxiety as indicated by a score of 47 or higher on the "Trait" score of Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale
Family history (first degree relative) of hypertension or cardiovascular disease prior to age 40
Evidence on physical or laboratory examination of endocrinopathies or immunopathies, including HIV
BMI of 30 or greater, evidence of significant recent weight change or history of obesity
History of any psychiatric disorder, or evidence of such a disorder based on a psychiatric evaluation which includes the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR (SCID)
History of any physical condition which, in the investigator's opinion, might put the participant at risk or interfere with the interpretation of study results
Use of any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications (including herbal remedies) within 14 days of study randomization
Use of tobacco products or any nicotine-containing products (e.g., gum, patch) within the past 6 months (prior to screening)
Positive screening urine test for nicotine or drugs of abuse: cannabinoids, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates, benzodiazepines, or alcohol in the blood
Unwillingness to agree to avoid strenuous activity over the course of the study
Poor likelihood, in the investigator's judgment, of full cooperation during the study and/or poor compliance is anticipated
Previously screened for this trial
Consumes more than four cups of coffee daily
Deviates from normal nocturnal sleeping patterns