Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 89

Exploring the effects of branched chain amino acids on sleep in veterans

Official title: A Pilot Study of Dietary Supplementation With Branched Chain Amino Acids on Sleep

Run by Portland VA Medical Center · NCT03990909 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if taking branched chain amino acids can help improve sleep and thinking skills in veterans who have had a traumatic brain injury.

More Traumatic Brain Injury trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 89 Years
SexAll
Enrollment300 (estimated)
SponsorPortland VA Medical Center
Federal
Locations1 site (Portland, Oregon)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 1, 2019
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2028
Study endsDecember 1, 2028
Registry record updatedSeptember 17, 2026
Trial IDNCT03990909 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are veterans who experience sleep problems and are English-speaking.

Probably not a fit

Patients with decisional impairment, allergies to study components, or those currently taking BCAAs may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the potential benefits of dietary supplementation with branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) on sleep quality and cognitive function in veterans with traumatic brain injury. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either BCAAs, rice protein, or a placebo for 21 days, with assessments conducted before and after the intervention. The study aims to determine the feasibility of BCAA supplementation in improving sleep-wake patterns and cognitive function in this population. Various measures, including self-report questionnaires and cognitive tests, will be utilized to evaluate outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved sleep quality and cognitive function for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury.

How similar studies have gone: While BCAA supplementation has been studied in various populations, this specific approach in veterans recovering from traumatic brain injury is novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Veteran
* English Speaking
* Accessible via phone
* Sleep problems

Exclusion Criteria:

* Decisional impairment
* Nickel allergy
* Maple syrup urine disease or family history of disease
* Allergy to sucralose
* Currently taking BCAAs

Where it's running

  • VA Portland Health Care System
    Portland, Oregon, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Miranda M Lim, MD, PhD — Portland VA Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Miranda M Lim, MD, PhD
  • Email: lmir@ohsu.edu
  • Phone: 503-220-8262

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.