Ketamine challenged as safe option for severe brain injury in tiny new study

NCT ID NCT06062628

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This early-phase study is testing whether a single dose of ketamine is safe for people with severe traumatic brain injury. Researchers will measure changes in brain pressure and oxygen levels in 10 critically ill adults. The goal is to see if ketamine, which has sedative and pain-relieving properties, can be used without causing harm.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Ketamine
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that ketamine is safe for severe TBI patients and may help guide better sedation practices.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase pilot study with only 10 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Ketamine has long been thought to raise brain pressure, and this risk is still being investigated.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic traumatic brain injury traumatic encephalopathy

As listed by the trial registrant

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

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Parkland Memorial Hospital
RECRUITING

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States
Parkland Memorial Hospital
RECRUITING

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.