Could a common anxiety drug and melatonin lift depression after brain injury?
NCT ID NCT04400266
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small pilot study tests whether a combination of buspirone (an anxiety medication) and melatonin (a sleep aid) can improve depression and thinking problems in people who have had a traumatic brain injury. Ten adults with mild or moderate TBI and depression will take the combination for several weeks. Researchers will measure changes in mood, cognition, and brain activity using scans.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
buspirone and melatonin
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for depression and cognitive problems after traumatic brain injury.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 10 participants, so results may not apply widely. The combination has not been tested specifically for post-TBI depression before, and benefits may be modest or absent.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02144, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program
RECRUITINGCharlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••