Buspirone tested to boost breathing in spinal cord injury patients
NCT ID NCT05041322
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested whether buspirone, a drug usually used for anxiety, can improve breathing capacity in people with chronic high-level spinal cord injuries. Thirteen participants took either buspirone or a placebo for 14 days. Researchers measured lung function, breathing drive, sleep quality, and exercise capacity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- buspirone (BuSpar)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a medication that helps people with spinal cord injuries breathe more easily.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-phase trial with only 13 participants. The results may not apply to everyone, and the drug may not improve breathing enough to be noticeable.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Spaulding Hospital Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
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