Could a single infusion quiet the ringing? small trial tests brexanolone for tinnitus
NCT ID NCT05645432
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This small study tested a single 6-hour intravenous infusion of brexanolone in 10 adults with tinnitus. The main goal was to check safety and tolerability, while also measuring changes in tinnitus loudness. Results are limited due to the small size and lack of a placebo group.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- brexanolone (allopregnanolone)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new treatment to reduce tinnitus loudness.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-phase trial with only 10 participants and no placebo group. Results may not apply to everyone, and the drug may not show meaningful benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
10 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
May 2023
- Finished
-
Nov 2023
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 65 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participant has a designated companion for the Clinic Treatment Visit who will drive them when they leave the clinic 2. Participant is in good physical health and has no clinically significant findings (excluding tinnitus), as determined by the investigator on medical history and physical examination, including neurologic and mental status examinations, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), or clinical laboratory tests 3. Participant has a diagnosis of subjective, idiopathic, unilateral or bilateral, non-pulsatile tinnitus (e.g., not due to medical disease) of ≥6 months and \<10 years duration 4. Participant has mild to severe tinnitus distress according to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score of 24 to 68 at Screening 5. Participant is willing and able to safely discontinue the use of central nervous system (CNS) depressants (e.g., opioids and benzodiazepines), antidepressants, anticonvulsants, CNS stimulants (with the exception of caffeine), aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs, and aminoglycosides at least 14 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to receiving IP and through completion of the study Exclusion Criteria: 1. Participant has history or presence of any neurologic disease or condition, including, but not limited to, unexplained loss of consciousness, seizure disorder including a prior nonfebrile seizure, and closed head trauma with clinically significant sequelae 2. Participant has a history of sleep apnea or any clinically significant respiratory conditions that may predispose the participant to hypoxia during the infusion 3. Participant intends to start or discontinue a pharmacological or nonpharmacological therapy (e.g., psychotherapy, sound therapy, masking, transcranial magnetic stimulation \[TMS\]) for tinnitus during the course of the study 4. Participant has currently active and medically significant or uncontrolled hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hematological, immunologic, metabolic disease (hypothyroidism with stable thyroid replacement is acceptable) 5. Participant's tinnitus can be modulated by maneuvers of the temporomandibular joint, head and neck, eyes, or limbs, or otherwise attributed to somatosensory cause or has had prior otoscopic surgeries or cholesteatoma 6. Participants has current unilateral or bilateral hearing loss of 30 decibel (dB) or greater (mild hearing loss) in one or more tested frequencies (500 Hertz \[Hz\], 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz), 60 dB or greater at 6000 Hz and 8000 Hz, asymmetry of 30 dB or greater in two or more tested frequencies, or uses a cochlear implant or hearing aid 7. Participant has history of chronic otitis media (\>3 per year during past 5 years) 8. Participant has a total score of 15 or greater (i.e., moderately severe) on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at Screening 9. Participant has diagnosis of moderate or severe substance use disorder (excluding nicotine dependence) within 12 months of Screening, has a positive screen for drugs of abuse including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on Day 1 prior to dosing, or has a positive screen for alcohol on Day 1 prior to dosing 10. Participant has a known allergy to progesterone, allopregnanolone, or any IP excipient 11. Participant has had exposure to another investigational drug or device within 30 days or 5 half-lives of the investigational drug, whichever is longer, prior to the Day 1 visit 12. Participant has a history of suicidal behavior within 2 years or answers "YES" to Questions 3, 4, or 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) at Screening or at Day 1 or is currently at risk of suicide in the opinion of the investigator 13. Participant has donated 1 or more units (1 unit = 450 milliliter \[mL\]) of blood or experienced acute loss of an equivalent amount of blood within 60 days prior to Day 1 14. Participant has any condition, comorbidity, or lifestyle consideration that in the opinion of the investigator would limit or interfere with the participant's ability to complete or partake in the study 15. Participant is unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures and the required training during the Baseline Period. The participant must complete 10 VAS assessments remotely prior to Day 1 16. Participant is unable to complete participation in the study, e.g., due to preplanned event including elective surgery
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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
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Sage Investigational Site
Atlanta, Georgia, 30331, United States
-
Sage Investigational Site
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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