Could a single dose of valproic acid help heal the brain after injury?

NCT ID NCT07166393

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a single dose of valproic acid, given soon after a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, can improve patients' recovery and reduce disability. About 432 adults aged 18 to 65 will be randomly assigned to receive either valproic acid (at a low or high dose) or a placebo, alongside standard care. The main goal is to see if the drug leads to better outcomes on a scale that measures recovery from death to full independence.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

valproic acid

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple, one-dose treatment to improve recovery and reduce disability after a traumatic brain injury.

What could go wrong

This is an early-to-mid stage trial, so the drug may not prove effective. Valproic acid also has known side effects, including liver problems and bleeding risk, which could limit its use.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Medical College of Wisconsin

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Oregon Health & Science University

    Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Arizona

    Tucson, Arizona, 85719-4824, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of California, Davis

    Sacramento, California, 95817, United States

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Southern California

    Los Angeles, California, 90089-0701, United States

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Texas Southwestern

    Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact