Medical Information Only. Always consult your healthcare provider before enrolling in any clinical trial.
Diclofenac Dose Response Study
NCT06636227 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The development of efficacious medications for AUD remains a high research priority with current emphases on identifying novel molecular targets and efficiently screening new compounds. Pharmacological modulation of the kynurenine pathway (KP) represents a promising novel target for AUD. The KP is a complex enzymatic cascade with each step producing biologically active metabolites that are critically involved in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Chronic alcohol exposure produces dysregulation of the KP, particularly as evidenced by decreased levels of the neuroprotective metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA) and increased levels of the neurotoxic metabolite quinolinic acid (QUIN). This metabolic shift is associated with various alcohol-related pathologies in animals and humans. Thus, a medication that targets the KP to restore KYNA and attenuate QUIN levels may be an effective treatment for AUD. The enzyme kynurenine 3- monooxygenase (KMO) is a major gatekeeper of the KP and resultant KYNA levels. KMO inhibition shifts the KP towards KYNA production in brain and away from QUIN production. Critically, KMO inhibition in rodents, through its increase in brain KYNA levels, decreases alcohol self-administration, preference, cue-reactivity, and relapse behaviors. However, KMO-inhibitors have not been tested in humans because of presumed lack of availability. Diclofenac is an FDA-approved Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug that was recently discovered to inhibit KMO activity. Consistent with KMO inhibition, diclofenac increases KYNA levels in the brain and periphery of rodents. However, it remains unknown whether diclofenac increases KYNA levels and affects alcohol-related behaviors in humans at approved, safe dosages. Investigators propose to conduct a human laboratory pilot study to test whether diclofenac can increase KYNA in individuals with AUD, and if so, which of 3 doses (50, 75, or 100 mg) most effectively increases KYNA. Individuals with AUD (n = 24)
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Placebo control
- DRUG Diclofenac 100mg
- DRUG Diclofenac 75mg
- DRUG Diclofenac 50mg
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center — Catonsville
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 24 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-12-01 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-08-31 |
| Phase | Phase 1 |
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 NCT06636227
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06636227 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as 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 24 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of Maryland, Baltimore, which has 559 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 4 interventions — of which Placebo control 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: NCT06636227 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. 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 NCT06636227 about?
NCT06636227 is a clinical study titled "Diclofenac Dose Response Study". The development of efficacious medications for AUD remains a high research priority with current emphases on identifying novel molecular targets and efficiently screening new compounds. Pharmacological modulation of the kynurenine pathway (KP) represents a promising novel target for AUD. The KP is a...
What is the current status of trial NCT06636227?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Phase 1 study. The enrollment target is 24 participants. The study started on 2024-12-01. Estimated completion is 2026-08-31.
What conditions does trial NCT06636227 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Alcohol-Related Disorders. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06636227?
The interventions under investigation include: Placebo control (DRUG), Diclofenac 100mg (DRUG), Diclofenac 75mg (DRUG), Diclofenac 50mg (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06636227?
This trial is sponsored by University of Maryland, Baltimore, which has 559 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06636227 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. 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.