Poop pills could clear brain fog in liver disease

NCT ID NCT03420482

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether transplanting healthy gut bacteria from donors can improve confusion in people with advanced liver disease. Thirty participants will receive either fecal transplant capsules or a placebo. The goal is to see if this approach can safely improve thinking and reduce side effects compared to current treatments.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) oral capsules
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new, safer treatment for confusion caused by liver disease by restoring healthy gut bacteria.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 30 participants. The treatment may not work better than placebo, and there are risks of infection or side effects from the transplant.

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.

cirrhosis of liver hepatic encephalopathy

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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