Medical Information Only. Always consult your healthcare provider before enrolling in any clinical trial.
Effects of 5HTP on the Injured Human Spinal Cord
NCT04520178 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
This study will assess how the serotonin precursor, 5-HTP, alter nervous system excitability and motor function in individuals with spinal cord injuries of differing chronicity and severity. Participants will visit the lab on 4 separate occasions where they will be administered four different drugs in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover design.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Placebo
- DRUG 5-Hydroxytryptophan
- DRUG 5-Hydroxytryptophan 100 MG
- DRUG Carbidopa
Study Locations (2)
Kentucky
- University of Louisville — Louisville
Alberta
- University of Alberta — Edmonton
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 30 participants |
| Start Date | 2020-07-01 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-12-30 |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
Interested in This Trial?
Always speak with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.
Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT04520178
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT04520178 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as Phase 2, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 30 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of Alberta, which has 135 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Spinal Cord Injuries appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 4 interventions — of which Placebo is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT04520178 reports 2 study locations spanning 2 distinct geographic areas — top geographies include Kentucky, Alberta. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT04520178 about?
NCT04520178 is a clinical study titled "Effects of 5HTP on the Injured Human Spinal Cord". This study will assess how the serotonin precursor, 5-HTP, alter nervous system excitability and motor function in individuals with spinal cord injuries of differing chronicity and severity. Participants will visit the lab on 4 separate occasions where they will be administered four different drugs ...
What is the current status of trial NCT04520178?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Phase 2 study. The enrollment target is 30 participants. The study started on 2020-07-01. Estimated completion is 2026-12-30.
What conditions does trial NCT04520178 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Spinal Cord Injuries. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04520178?
The interventions under investigation include: Placebo (DRUG), 5-Hydroxytryptophan (DRUG), 5-Hydroxytryptophan 100 MG (DRUG), Carbidopa (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04520178?
This trial is sponsored by University of Alberta, which has 135 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT04520178 being conducted?
This trial has 2 study locations across Kentucky, Alberta. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
How Clinical Trials Work
Understand phases 1-4, trial design, randomization, and the informed consent process.
Patient Rights in Clinical Trials
Your rights as a participant: consent, withdrawal, privacy, and who to contact.
Finding the Right Clinical Trial
A practical guide to searching trials, understanding eligibility, and evaluating options.
All Guides
Browse our complete library of clinical trial educational resources.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.