Aripiprazole and sensorimotor function in adults who stutter
Official title: Dopamine and Sensorimotor Function in Stuttering
Run by University of California, San Francisco · NCT07215884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We will test whether a single 10 mg dose of aripiprazole versus placebo changes speech sensorimotor processing and improves fluency in adults who stutter.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Francisco, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 30, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | August 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 19, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07215884 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–65 who are native American English speakers with confirmed childhood-onset stuttering, normal hearing, and no other neurological, psychiatric, or dopaminergic medication use are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
People with other speech-language-hearing disorders, neurological or psychiatric diagnoses, or who are taking dopaminergic agents or benzodiazepines are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this specific intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults who stutter will receive a single 10 mg dose of aripiprazole or a placebo and undergo measurements of speech fluency and sensorimotor responses. Eligible participants are native American English speakers aged 18–65 with childhood-onset stuttering and normal hearing; people on dopaminergic drugs or with other neurological/psychiatric conditions are excluded. The study uses behavioral tasks and neurophysiologic measures at the Biomagnetic Imaging Lab to probe auditory feedback processing and speech prediction. The approach aims to determine whether short-term dopamine modulation or auditory feedback manipulations can transiently enhance fluency and related sensorimotor function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to medication-plus-behavior approaches that reduce stuttering severity and improve speech motor control for adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small studies of dopamine-modulating antipsychotics have reported some improvements in stuttering, but using aripiprazole for stuttering is relatively novel and not well established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * native speakers of American English * for adults who stutter, presence of stuttering will be confirmed, with onset before age 6 years * Normal hearing * Ages of 18 to 65 years * healthy adults without hearing-language difficulties Exclusion Criteria: * self-reported speech-language-hearing difficulties other than stuttering * self-reported neurological or psychological problems * other medications (drugs that affect dopaminergic system and/or benzodiazepines)
Where it's running
-
Biomagentic Imaging Lab
San Francisco, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: John Houde, PhD — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Natalie Brunwin, MS
- Email: snl-bil@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 4154766888
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Lumateperone for childhood-onset stuttering in adults
A small study tests whether lumateperone can help reduce stuttering in adults who began stuttering in childhood.
-
Transcranial magnetic stimulation for adult stuttering
We will test whether repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to a language-related brain area can reduce stuttering in adults who stutter.
-
Motor brain circuits for speech production in adults who stutter
We will use MRI while adults who stutter speak to test how motor brain areas and their connections work during continuous speech.
-
Delta-frequency alternating-current brain stimulation paired with choral reading for stuttering
This project will try mild, noninvasive alternating-current brain stimulation (tACS) paired with choral reading to see if it reduces stuttering in English-speaking children and adults who currently stutter.
-
Exploring the nature and treatment of stuttering
This study is testing new ways to treat stuttering by looking at the different factors that affect it in both one-language and multiple-language speakers.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.