Alcoholism drug may boost vision in eye disease patients
NCT ID NCT06319872
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at whether disulfiram (Antabuse), a drug used for alcohol use disorder, can improve vision in people with retinal degeneration (like macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa). Researchers believe it may calm overactive cells in the retina. The study involves 15 adults who already take disulfiram for alcohol use and have an inherited retinal disease or dry age-related macular degeneration. Vision changes will be measured over time.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 15 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2025
- Expected to finish
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May 2029
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.
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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 Criteria: * All sexes, 18 years and older. * Participants must speak English, understand, and sign the informed consent document. * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study. * In good general health as evidenced by medical history and with a clinical diagnosis of inherited retinal dystrophy or dry-AMD. * Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) of 20/20 (with constriction or other defects of Goldmann visual field) to Light Perception in the better eye. * Intact inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform, and ganglion cell layer on macular SD-OCT. * Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the disulfiram regimen. * Patients must have the diagnosis of alcohol use disorder provided by an addiction specialist and be a candidate for therapeutic use of disulfiram for that condition. * Patients must agree to refrain from all alcohol consumption for 180 days. * Any female participant of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening. * Any female participant of childbearing potential must have (or have a partner who has) had a surgical sterilization (vasectomy, hysterectomy, or tubal ligation), be completely abstinent from intercourse or must agree to practice two acceptable methods of contraception throughout the course of the study and for at least one week after disulfiram discontinuation. Acceptable methods of contraception include hormonal contraception (i.e., birth control pills, injected hormones, dermal patch, or vaginal ring); intrauterine device; barrier methods (diaphragm, condom) with spermicide. Exclusion Criteria: * A condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude participation in the study, e.g., 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. * Ophthalmic conditions with independent effect upon visual function (e.g. diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, active intraocular inflammation or active infectious ocular diseases, choroidal neovascularization). * Patients with No Light Perception (NLP) in both eyes. * 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. * 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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Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center
RECRUITINGRochester, New York, 14642, United States
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