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Effects of Nicotine and Attention on Frequency Tuning in Auditory Cortex
NCT05018117 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Nicotine enhances auditory-cognitive function because it mimics the brain's system for "paying attention" to important sounds amid distractions (for example, understanding speech in a noisy environment). In part, nicotine does this by activating inhibitory neurons in the auditory cortex. Since age-related hearing deficits result, in part, from the loss of inhibitory neurons in auditory cortex, this project will determine whether nicotine's effects can compensate for reduced inhibition in the aging auditory cortex and thereby restore auditory function. The investigators will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure the selectivity of responses in auditory cortex to tones of various frequencies. The investigators will measure the effects of nicotine (administered as chewing gum) and aging on these fMRI response properties. The investigators hypothesize that frequency selectivity will decrease with aging and increase following nicotine administration.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- OTHER Placebo gum
- DRUG Nicotine gum
Study Locations (1)
California
- University of California, Berkeley — Berkeley
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 48 participants |
| Start Date | 2022-06-06 |
| Est. Completion | 2025-12-31 |
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT05018117
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT05018117 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as Early Phase 1, 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 48 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of California, Berkeley, which has 60 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 Aging appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Placebo gum 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: NCT05018117 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include California. 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 NCT05018117 about?
NCT05018117 is a clinical study titled "Effects of Nicotine and Attention on Frequency Tuning in Auditory Cortex". Nicotine enhances auditory-cognitive function because it mimics the brain's system for "paying attention" to important sounds amid distractions (for example, understanding speech in a noisy environment). In part, nicotine does this by activating inhibitory neurons in the auditory cortex. Since age-r...
What is the current status of trial NCT05018117?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Early Phase 1 study. The enrollment target is 48 participants. The study started on 2022-06-06. Estimated completion is 2025-12-31.
What conditions does trial NCT05018117 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Aging. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT05018117?
The interventions under investigation include: Placebo gum (OTHER), Nicotine gum (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT05018117?
This trial is sponsored by University of California, Berkeley, which has 60 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT05018117 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across California. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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