Could a common supplement help teens with alcohol problems?
NCT ID NCT05870111
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether citicoline, an over-the-counter supplement, can help young people ages 16 to 22 with alcohol use disorder. Over 4 weeks, participants receive either citicoline or a placebo. Researchers measure changes in immune markers, brain chemistry, and thinking skills to see if the supplement reduces harm from alcohol.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- citicoline (a dietary supplement)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a safe, over-the-counter supplement to help young people reduce alcohol-related brain and immune system harm.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 56 participants. The supplement may not show meaningful benefits over placebo, and results may not apply to all youth with alcohol use disorder.
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
-
About 56 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Oct 2024
- Expected to finish
-
Feb 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
16 to 22 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion: Age 16 to 22. Call study team for additional screening and information.
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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
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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