Sleep study for ICU sedation halted after just 3 volunteers
NCT ID NCT01342328
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study aimed to see if a sedative called dexmedetomidine produces sleep more like natural sleep than another sedative, propofol. Researchers planned to measure brain activity in 3 healthy volunteers during drug-induced and natural sleep. The trial was terminated early, so only limited data is available.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) and propofol
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help doctors choose sedatives that better mimic natural sleep for ICU patients, potentially reducing delirium.
What could go wrong
This was a very small, early-phase study in healthy volunteers, not patients. It was terminated early, so results are limited and may not apply to real ICU settings.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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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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Locations
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University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 94143, United States