Oxytocin therapy for the treatment of psychological symptoms in diabetes insipidus
The OxyTUITION trial aims to investigate whether treatment of patients with diabetes insipidus, a rare pituitary disease, with intranasal oxytocin can improve psychological symptoms and socio-emotional functioning.
Background
Central diabetes insipidus is a rare disease of the pituitary gland that is associated with a deficiency of the hormone vasopressin and leads to polyuria and polydipsia. Those affected often also suffer from psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depressive moods and impairments in socio-emotional functioning. Studies suggest that an oxytocin deficiency may also play a role in diabetes insipidus due to the anatomical proximity and that oxyticin deficiency contributes to these symptoms.
Aim
This study aims to clarify whether intranasal oyxtocin therapy can improve the psychological and socio-emotional symptoms of diabetes insipidus.
Study methodology
Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial
OxyTUTION study
Oxytocin substitution therapy in patients with central diabetes insipidus: a double-blind randomized-controlled trial
Study management
Prof. Mirjam Christ-Crain, Chief Physician Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, University Hospital Basel
Planned number of participants
112
Planned number of study centers
Monocentric, 1 study center at the University Hospital Basel
Study design
1:1 randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial
Duration
5 years
DKF-Scientific Services
Data analysis/statistics, Data Management, Regulatory Affairs, Project Management, Monitoring, Quality Management, Outpatient Study Centre
Does oxytocin improve the psychological symptoms and socio-emotional functioning of diabetes insipidus patients?
Significance of the study
Patients with diabetes insipidus often suffer from anxiety, depressive moods and impairments in social functioning despite effective treatment of their vasopressin deficiency. Indications but no proof exist, that oxytocin deficiency could be the cause. This study will deliver important evidence wether those affected by this rare hormonal disease can profit from an easy-to-deliver therapy.
March 2026