Aripiprazole for Stuttering
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests how aripiprazole, a medication, affects adults who stutter. Stuttering disrupts smooth speech, and the researchers aim to explore how this drug might improve fluency by studying the brain's sensorimotor pathways, which process movement and speech. Participants will receive either a single dose of aripiprazole or a placebo (a pill with no active medication) to compare effects. Those who have stuttered since before age 6, are native speakers of American English with normal hearing, and have no other speech or neurological issues might be a good fit. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
Yes, you will need to stop taking medications that affect the dopaminergic system or benzodiazepines to participate in this trial.
Is there any evidence suggesting that aripiprazole is likely to be safe for humans?
Research shows that aripiprazole has been tested for safety in many patients, particularly those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. In these studies, researchers carefully monitored side effects. Common side effects included nausea, dizziness, and insomnia. More serious side effects, though less common, included movement problems like tardive dyskinesia, which can affect speech.
Aripiprazole is already approved by the FDA for certain mental health conditions, indicating a known level of safety in these treatments. However, this study explores a new use, so the specific effects on stuttering remain under investigation. Monitoring side effects remains crucial with any medication.12345Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for stuttering?
Unlike the standard treatments for stuttering, which often include speech therapy and medications like antiepileptics or dopamine blockers, aripiprazole offers a novel approach. Aripiprazole works as a partial dopamine receptor agonist, which means it can stabilize dopamine levels more precisely than traditional medications. This unique mechanism might provide better control over speech fluency with potentially fewer side effects. Researchers are excited about its potential to offer a more effective and targeted treatment for individuals struggling with stuttering.
What evidence suggests that aripiprazole might be an effective treatment for stuttering?
Studies have shown that aripiprazole, a medication often used for conditions like Tourette's syndrome, might help with stuttering. Research suggests it works by blocking certain brain chemicals, especially dopamine, which may affect speech fluency. Some reports noted improvements in stuttering symptoms with aripiprazole. Additionally, growing evidence indicates that similar medications targeting dopamine can reduce stuttering severity. While more research is needed, these findings suggest that aripiprazole could be promising for people who stutter. In this trial, participants will receive either a single dose of aripiprazole or a placebo to evaluate its effectiveness in treating stuttering.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
John Houde, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Srikantan Nagarajan, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Ludo Max, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Washington
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This clinical trial is for adults who have a stuttering disorder, affecting their speech fluency. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to be in good general health and not taking conflicting medications.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive a single 10 mg dose of aripiprazole or placebo
Assessment
Participants undergo magnetoencephalography to measure auditory cortical activity and speech behavior
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any delayed effects or adverse reactions post-intervention
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Aripiprazole
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborator
University of Washington
Collaborator