Can common drugs boost hand recovery after spinal cord injury?

NCT ID NCT05708274

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Bronx VA Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed Phase 1 trial tested whether three FDA-approved drugs (cyproheptadine, carbidopa-levodopa, and atomoxetine) could improve hand function when combined with hand training exercises in 25 people with chronic spinal cord injury. Participants took a single dose of one drug or a placebo, then performed hand tasks. The study measured dexterity, grip strength, and nerve signals to see if the drugs help strengthen brain-spinal cord connections.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: cyproheptadine, carbidopa-levodopa, and atomoxetine
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a drug-assisted therapy to improve hand strength and dexterity after spinal cord injury.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 25 participants and single doses, so results may not apply widely or lead to a lasting treatment.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Contacts and locations

Locations

James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center

The Bronx, New York, 10468, United States

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