Earthbound study mimics space stress to protect astronaut brains
NCT ID NCT07293494
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study will put 56 healthy adults aged 25-60 through 27 hours of sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption (to a 0.08% BAC) in a lab over 110 hours. Researchers will measure how these stressors affect thinking, movement, and brain scans. The goal is to better predict and manage similar risks astronauts face during spaceflight.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Alcohol (vodka mixed with juice or soda)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help predict and reduce cognitive and motor risks for astronauts during space missions.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study in a controlled lab, not in space. Results may not fully apply to real spaceflight conditions.
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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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 56 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 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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21 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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 between 21-60 years. * Free of psychological, psychiatric or physical conditions that preclude participation. * BMI between 18.5 and 35. * Self-reported regular sleep schedule; able to maintain their sleep schedule during the course of the study. * Self-reported sleep duration of 6-8.5 h per night (verified by daily logs). * Ability to read/write English. * Able to stand unassisted for up to 10 minutes at a time and able to lift arms above head. Exclusion Criteria: * Alcohol or drug abuse in the past year based upon history and urine toxicology screen. * Potential alcohol abuse or heavy drinking in the past year, based on self-report (AUDIT-C Q2 score above 1 or Q3 score above 2). * Alcohol-naive based on self-report (AUDIT-C Q1 score of 0). * Allergies, conditions or circumstances that preclude alcohol consumption, including use of medication or supplements (prescription or over the counter) that could interfere with study participation or make it hazardous for a subject to partake (e.g., anticholinergics; antipsychotics; lithium; psychotropic drugs not otherwise specified), or for which alcohol consumption should be limited or avoided (e.g. items identified on NIAAA's 'Harmful Interactions' list). * Cultural or personal beliefs that preclude alcohol consumption. * Body Mass Index ≤18.5 or ≥ 35. * Current smoker/tobacco user or using nicotine replacement therapy. Those that have been nicotine-free for ≥ 30 days may be included. * Excessive caffeine consumption (\> 650mg/day combining all caffeinated drinks regularly consumed during the day). * Acute, chronic, or debilitating medical conditions, major Axis I psychiatric illness based on history, physical exam, blood and urine chemistries; or self-reported history of neurological, psychiatric, or other medical condition that precludes participation, such as nervous system disorders, dementia, chronic migraines, or epilepsy; panic, bipolar or schizoaffective disorder; sleep disorders including insomnia, narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea; liver, kidney or heart disease, hypertension; infectious diseases; diabetes; or any other conditions for which medical monitoring is advised and which may require medications and/or lifestyles that preclude alcohol consumption and/or sleep disruption. * Current depression as determined on the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1996), by either a total score of 19 or higher or a response greater than 0 on Q9 (suicidality). * Cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal problems, or other major conditions such as organ failure, cancer or patients requiring oxygen. * Prior history or diagnosis of any sleep disorder including Obstructive Sleep Apnea (AHI ≥15 events/hour) - from ambulatory or in lab polysomnography; Restless legs syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder; Insomnia; Parasomnia; High Risk of OSA based on STOP-BANG Questionnaire ("yes" on at least 4 of 8 questions); High Risk of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) based on Cambridge-Hopkins Screening questionnaire; High Risk of Insomnia based on Insomnia Severity Index (score of 22 or higher). * Current use or use within the past month of a prescription or over-the-counter sleep medication or stimulant (based on self-report or review with a study clinician). * History of potential MRI contraindications, including: tinnitus; sensorineural hearing loss \> 30 dB; pace maker or internal defibrillator; metallic implants (e.g. orthopedic plates after bone fractures, joint replacements, surgical staples or clips, artificial heart valves, stents, cava filters); metallic splinters (e.g. after an accident or due to war injury); non-removable dental brace; Tattoo (some tattoo inks contain metallic particles); permanent make-up; non-MRI compatible intrauterine contraceptive device; cochlear implant (implanted hearing device); medication pump; acupuncture needle; other foreign bodies/objects which are non-removable; pregnancy (or its possibility); previous brain and/or heart surgery. * History of severe motion sickness, based on self-report or driving simulator response. * Pregnant or currently breast feeding. People that menstruate will have a pregnancy test performed via urine sample during screening, as those that are currently pregnant are unable to participate in the study. * Individuals who self-report severe contact dermatitis or allergy to bandages, silicone, nickel or silver. * Currently working night, swing, split or rotating shift. * Planned travel across more than one time zone within 7 days of the scheduled study start date. * Habitual daytime napping.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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 study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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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
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
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University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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