Dexmedetomidine Sublingual Film for Autonomic Crises in Familial Dysautonomia

Dexmedetomidine Sublingual Film for the Ambulatory Treatment of Hyperadrenergic Autonomic Crisis in Patients with Familial Dysautonomia

NIH-funded research New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11177687

This project looks at using a sublingual film medication to help people with familial dysautonomia manage sudden, severe changes in blood pressure and heart rate at home.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University School of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11177687 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare genetic condition that causes many health challenges, including frequent and severe episodes called hyperadrenergic autonomic crises. These crises involve a sudden spike in blood pressure and heart rate, often with vomiting, and can be dangerous. Current home treatments can have serious side effects like sedation or respiratory problems. This project aims to find a safer and more effective way to manage these crises at home by exploring a sublingual film containing dexmedetomidine, a medication that could help calm the body's overactive stress response during these episodes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients diagnosed with familial dysautonomia who experience frequent hyperadrenergic autonomic crises.

Not a fit: Patients without familial dysautonomia or those who do not experience hyperadrenergic autonomic crises would not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this new treatment could provide a safer and more effective way for patients with familial dysautonomia to manage severe autonomic crises at home, potentially preventing serious complications.

How similar studies have performed: This project proposes a novel approach to treating these crises, indicating that current methods are insufficient and this specific drug delivery for this condition is largely untested.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.