Breathing trick and pill may rewire aging muscles

NCT ID NCT07704385

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 15, 2026 · Last updated Jul 16, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a drug called istradefylline, combined with short bursts of low-oxygen breathing (acute intermittent hypoxia), can improve muscle strength and brain-to-muscle signaling in healthy adults aged 40 to 79. Participants receive either the drug or a placebo before the breathing sessions, and researchers measure grip strength and breathing muscle power. The goal is to understand how aging affects the brain's ability to adapt and recover.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
istradefylline 20 mg and acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a way to enhance rehabilitation and maintain strength in older adults.
What could go wrong
This is an early-phase study with only 38 healthy participants, so results may not apply to people with medical conditions or lead to a treatment.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 1/2

Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.

Participants

About 38 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Oct 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Dec 2031

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

40 to 79 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 40-79 years Non-smokers Ambulatory in the community Do not require assistance to complete activities of daily living Exclusion Criteria: * Restrictive or obstructive lung conditions Pregnancy Active respiratory infections Use of antibiotics in the last 4 weeks Symptomatic cardiac disease BMI \>35 kg/m2 Seizure disorder or progressive neurological condition Uses positive pressure mechanical ventilation when awake and upright, or oxygen assistance at any time

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How to take part

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