<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001145404</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CRITICAL THERAPEUTICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRTX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001291804</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>George Jean</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CRITICAL THERAPEUTICS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>60 WESTVIEW ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LEXINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02421</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001294514</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Advanced Technology Ventures VI, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 WINTER STREET, SUITE 3700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALTHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02451</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001294521</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ATV Entrepreneurs VI, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 WINTER STREET, SUITE 3700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALTHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02451</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001294971</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ATV Alliance 2003, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 WINTER STREET, SUITE 3700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALTHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02451</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001294513</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ATV Entrepreneurs VII, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 WINTER STREET, SUITE 3700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALTHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02451</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001138942</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VENTURES VII LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>281 WINTER ST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 350</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALTHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02451</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001294525</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Advanced Technology Ventures VII(B), L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 WINTER STREET, SUITE 3700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALTHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02451</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001294527</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Advanced Technology Ventures VII(C), L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 WINTER STREET, SUITE 3700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALTHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02451</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series B Convertible Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1904759</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This Form 3 is filed by Jean George (&quot;Ms. George&quot;) and Advanced Technology Ventures VII, L.P. (&quot;ATV
VII&quot;), Advanced Technology Ventures VII(B), LP., Advanced Technology Ventures VII(C), L.P., ATV Entrepreneures VII,
L.P., ATV Alliance 2003, L.P., Advanced Technology Ventures VI, L.P., and ATV Entrepreneurs VI, L.P., (collectively, the
&quot;Funds&quot;). Ms. George and the Funds are sometimes referred to herein as the &quot;Reporting Person.&quot; The
address of the principal business office of each of the Reporting Persons is 1000 Winter Street, Suite 3700, Waltham, MA
02451.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert into Common Stock upon the closing of the Issurer's
initial public offering.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These shares are held directly by the Funds which are managed by their respective General Partners. Ms. George is a managing
director of the General Partner of ATV VII and its affiliated funds. Ms. George disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares
held by the Funds, except to the extent of her pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jean M. George</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Advanced Technology Ventures VII, L.P. By: ATV Associates VI, L.L.C. By: /s/ Jean M. George, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Advanced Technology Ventures VII(B), L.P. By: ATV Associates VI, L.L.C. By: /s/ Jean M. George, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Advanced Technology Ventures VII(C), L.P. By: ATV Associates VI, L.L.C. By: /s/ Jean M. George, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>ATV Entrepreneurs VII, L.P. By: ATV Associates VI, L.L.C. By: /s/ Jean M. George, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>ATV Alliance 2003, L.P. By: ATV Alliance Associates, L.L.C. By: /s/ April Evans, Manager</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Advanced Technology Ventures VI, L.P. By: ATV Associates VI, L.L.C. By: /s/ Peter J. Schiller, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>ATV Entrepreneurs VI, L.P. By: ATV Associates VI, L.L.C. By: /s/ Peter J. Schiller, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

