Could an old drug save your sight? disulfiram trial targets vision loss
NCT ID NCT05626920
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether disulfiram, a drug already approved for alcohol dependence, can improve vision in people with inherited retinal degeneration. The drug aims to block a harmful signaling pathway in the retina that worsens vision loss. Thirty adults with the condition will receive both disulfiram and a placebo in a crossover design to compare changes in retinal sensitivity and visual acuity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Disulfiram (250 mg oral tablet)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment to slow vision loss and improve remaining sight in people with inherited retinal diseases.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 1/2 trial with only 30 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Disulfiram can cause side effects like drowsiness or liver issues, and the benefit may be small or absent.
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
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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May 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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May 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: Age ≥18 years Only those with a clinical diagnosis of inherited retinal degeneration. When available, supporting genetic diagnosis form a CLIA approved lab will be further considered for inclusion. Only one eye per subject should be identified as the study eye. The study eye must meet the following criteria: * Best corrected ETDRS visual acuity letter score ≥ 70 (i.e., 20/40 or better) within 30 days of enrollment. * Goldmann visual field exhibiting constriction of visual fields to 10 degrees centrally * Able and willing to provide informed consent * Willing and able to abstain from alcohol consumption for the duration of the study and the 2 weeks preceding it and 2 weeks following the study end point Liver function values that fall in the normal range as specified below: * Alanine transaminase (ALT): less than 40 IU/L * Aspartate transaminase (AST): less than 40 IU/L * Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): less than 300 IU/L * Albumin (Alb): less than 50 g/L * Total Protein: less than 80 g/L * Total Bilirubin: less than 30 umol/L Exclusion Criteria: * A condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude participation in the study, e.g., alcohol dependence, cardiovascular disease, hepatitis. * Individuals with a history of diabetes mellitus * Individuals with a history of psychosis * Individuals with hypothyroidism * Individuals with hypersensitivity to thiuram derivatives causing rubber contact dermatitis * Those on anticoagulant therapy or other medications that may be affected by disulfiram. * An ocular condition, other than inherited retinal degeneration, is present such that, in the opinion of the investigator, visual acuity might be affected (e.g., foveal atrophy, pigment abnormalities, dense subfoveal hard exudates, non-retinal conditions such as epiretinal membrane or vitreo-macular traction, vein occlusion, uveitis or other ocular inflammatory diseases such as neovascular glaucoma, etc). * History of major ocular surgery within the prior 6 months or major ocular surgery anticipated within the next 6 months following randomization. * Exam evidence of severe external ocular infection, including conjunctivitis, chalazion, or substantial blepharitis * Participation in an investigational trial that involves treatment with any drug within 30 days of randomization that has not received regulatory approval at the time of study entry. Note: study participants cannot receive another investigational drug while participating in this study. * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the study drug. * For women of child-bearing potential: pregnant or lactating or intending to become pregnant within the next 12 months. Women who are potential study participants should be questioned about the potential for pregnancy. Investigator judgment will be used to determine when a pregnancy test is needed. * Participants who expect to move out of the area of the clinical center during the 8 months of the study
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Washington-South Lake Union Retina Center
RECRUITINGSeattle, Washington, 98109, United States