NCT06130449 Testosterone and Neural Function
| NCT ID | NCT06130449 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | EARLY_Phase 1 |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development |
| Condition | Spinal Cord Injury |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 15 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-04-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-09-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
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.
Phase 1 is the earliest stage of human testing — safety and dosage are the primary focus. Visits are frequent and medical supervision is intensive. You will be among the first people to receive this treatment.
This trial targets 15 participants in total. It began in 2024-04-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-09-30.
⚠ 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
Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the nerves controlling movement, along with those that regulate functions like heart rate and blood pressure (known as the autonomic nervous system, or ANS). Testosterone (T) plays a significant role in brain health and ANS reflex function in non-neurologically impaired men. However, little is known about the relationships between T, nerve function, and ANS dysfunction after SCI. Interestingly, up to 60% of men with SCI exhibit persistently low T concentrations, which may worsen nerve and ANS dysfunction. In uninjured eugonadal people (normal physiologic range of serum T concentrations), a single pharmacologic dose of intranasal T has been shown to quickly improve nerve function, but no study has evaluated if T administration alters nerve and ANS function in men with SCI. Herein, the investigators will conduct the first study to test how a single dose of intranasal T impacts motor and ANS function in this population.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male * Hypogonadal (Serum Total T \<300 ng/dL, Free T \<46 pg/mL, or bioavailable T \<110 ng/dL) with signs/symptoms of hypogonadism * Age 18-80 years * Traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) * Time since injury (TSI) more than 12 months * American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Injury classification Scale (AIS) A, B, C, or D * Stable prescription medication regimen for at least 30 days * Not currently receiving pharmacological treatment for hypogonadism * Must be able to commit to study requirements of 3 visits within a 30-day period * Provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Extensive history of seizures * Ventilator dependence or patent tracheostomy site * History of neurologic disorder other than SCI * History of moderate or severe head trauma * Currently receiving treatment for hypogonadism * History of allergy, hypersensitivity, or other significant adverse reaction to testosterone replacement therapy * Significant cardiovascular disease or cardiac conduction disease * Active psychological disorder * Moderate or severe brain injury, stroke, tumor, multiple sclerosis, or abscess * Recent history (within 3 months) of substance abuse * Pressures sores stage 3 or greater * Active infection * Frequent severe migraines * Recent history (within past 6 months) of recurrent autonomic dysreflexia, defined as a syndrome of sudden rise in systolic pressure greater than 20 mm Hg or diastolic pressure greater than 10 mm Hg, without rise in heart rate, accompanied by symptoms such as headache, facial flushing, sweating, nasal congestion, and blurry vision (this will be closely monitored during all screening and testing procedures) * History of implanted devices with electromagnetic properties: brain/spine/nerve stimulators, aneurysm clips, ferromagnetic metallic implants in the head (except for inside mouth); cochlear implants; cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator; intracardiac lines; currently increased intracranial pressure; or other contraindications to brain or spine stimulation * Use of medications that significantly lower seizure threshold, such as amphetamines, neuroleptics, dalfampridine, and bupropion.
Contact & Investigator
Jacob A Goldsmith, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06130449 clinical trial?
This trial is open to male participants only, aged 18 Years or older, up to 80 Years, studying Spinal Cord Injury. 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 NCT06130449 trial and what does that mean for participants?
Phase 1 trials are the first stage of human testing. The primary goal is to assess safety and determine appropriate dosage levels. Participants are closely monitored. These trials typically involve a small number of volunteers.
Is NCT06130449 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06130449 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Jacob.Goldsmith@va.gov for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06130449 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at The Bronx, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06130449 clinical trial?
NCT06130449 is sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development. The principal investigator is Jacob A Goldsmith, PhD at James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The trial plans to enroll 15 participants.