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Recruiting Phase 2 NCT04427709

NCT04427709 Generate and Test the Reliability of a PD Model of OXT on Pupillary Hippus as a Measure of CNS Activity

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT04427709
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Sponsor Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Condition Chronic Pain
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 38 participants
Start Date 2020-11-30
Primary Completion 2026-12

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 75 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
OxytocinPlacebo

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

In Phase 2, researchers evaluate early signs of effectiveness. You may be randomized to receive the active treatment or a comparator. Monitoring continues closely.

This trial targets 38 participants in total. It began in 2020-11-30 with a primary completion date of 2026-12.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of oxytocin (naturally occurring hormone) given by an intramuscular (IM; into the muscle) injection, has on your parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of the involuntary nervous system that is sometimes called the "rest and digest" system; the parasympathetic system conserves energy as it slightly slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female \> 18 and \< 75 years of age, Body Mass Index (BMI) \<40. 2. Generally in good health as determined by the Principal Investigator based on prior medical history, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1, 2, or 3. 3. For healthy volunteers, normal blood pressure (systolic 90-140 mmHg; diastolic 50-90 mmHg) resting heart rate 45-100 beats per minute) without medication. For knee arthritis subjects, normal blood pressure or, for those with hypertension, pressure controlled with anti-hypertensives and with a resting heart rate 45-100 beats per minute. 4. Female subjects of child-bearing potential and those \< 1 year post-menopausal, must be practicing highly effective methods of birth control such as hormonal methods (e.g., combined oral, implantable, injectable, or transdermal contraceptives), double barrier methods (e.g., condoms, sponge, diaphragm, or vaginal ring plus spermicidal jellies or cream), or total abstinence from heterosexual intercourse for a minimum of 1 full cycle before study drug administration. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Hypersensitivity, allergy, or significant reaction to any ingredient of Pitocin® 2. Any disease, diagnosis, or condition (medical or surgical) that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, would place the subject at increased risk (active gynecologic disease in which increased tone would be detrimental e.g., uterine fibroids with ongoing bleeding), compromise the subject's compliance with study procedures, or compromise the quality of the data 3. Women who are pregnant (positive result for serum pregnancy test at screening visit), women who are currently nursing or lactating, women that have been pregnant within 2 years 4. Subjects with neuropathy, chronic pain, diabetes mellitus, or taking benzodiazepines or pain medications on a daily basis. 5. Subjects with eye pathology, eye surgery, or taking topical eye medications, or any disease process that would cause motor tremors or excessive eye movements.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Regina Curry, RN

✉ RECURRY@WAKEHEALTH.EDU

📞 336-716-4294

Principal Investigator

James C Eisenach, MD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT04427709 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 75 Years, studying Chronic Pain. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT04427709 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness while continuing to monitor safety. More participants are enrolled than in Phase 1 to help refine the treatment protocol.

Is NCT04427709 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT04427709 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at RECURRY@WAKEHEALTH.EDU for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT04427709 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Winston-Salem, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT04427709 clinical trial?

NCT04427709 is sponsored by Wake Forest University Health Sciences. The principal investigator is James C Eisenach, MD at Wake Forest University Health Sciences. The trial plans to enroll 38 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: July 2026  ·  Data Methodology