Psilocybin to reopen brain plasticity after chronic stroke
Psychedelic Healing: Adjunct Therapy Harnessing Opened Malleability
This trial will test whether a supervised dose of psilocybin is safe and can help reopen brain plasticity in adults who had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least 12 months ago.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT07053917 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This Phase 1 interventional study administers controlled psilocybin doses under clinical supervision to people with chronic ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (≥12 months post-stroke) to measure safety and tolerability. Participants must follow medication and dietary restrictions and are monitored during and after dosing for adverse events, vital signs, and functional measures related to motor, language, and cognition. The protocol builds on preclinical and early human findings that certain psychedelics can reopen critical periods of brain plasticity and seeks to translate that effect to chronic stroke recovery. Findings from this study will determine whether larger trials testing efficacy are warranted.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a confirmed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least 12 months prior who can give informed consent, comply with medication and dietary restrictions, and arrange safe transportation after dosing.
Not a fit: People with strokes less than 12 months old, unstable medical or psychiatric conditions, inability to follow study restrictions, or who cannot avoid driving after dosing are unlikely to receive benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, psilocybin could restore a window of brain plasticity that helps people regain motor, language, or cognitive skills long after a stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical and early human work indicates psychedelics can reopen plasticity windows, but applying psilocybin specifically to improve chronic stroke recovery in patients is largely untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Over age 18 years, inclusive. * Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed by CT or MRI, at least 12 months prior to admission date * Ability to give informed consent and understand the tasks involved. * Agree that, for the study duration, will refrain from: (1) No new prescription medications during the time of the study without approval of the study team, (2) taking any herbal supplement (except with prior approval of the research team), (3) taking any nonprescription medications with the exception of: 1. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 2. acetaminophen. 3. vitamins. 4. or other over-the-counter medications approved by the research team * Are willing to follow restrictions and guidelines concerning medications, consumption of food, beverages, and nicotine the night before and just prior to psilocybin administration. * Agree to have transportation other than driving themselves home or to where the participants are staying after the administration of psilocybin. * Are willing to be contacted via telephone for all necessary telephone contacts. * Must have a negative pregnancy test if able to bear children. * Must provide a contact (relative, spouse, close friend or other caregiver) who is willing and able to be reached by the investigators in the event of a participant becoming suicidal. * Must agree to inform the investigators within 48 hours of any new medical conditions and procedures. * Are proficient in speaking and reading English. * Agree to have all clinical visit sessions recorded to audio and video. * Agree to not participate in any other interventional clinical trials during the duration of this study. Exclusion Criteria: * Taking one of the following medications in the 30 days prior to psilocybin administration: 1. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) 2. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) 3. Buproprion 4. Valproic acid 5. Zolpidem 6. Trazodone 7. Carbamazepine. 8. tricyclic antidepressants 9. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors 10. Mirtazapine l. Lithium m. Buspirone n. Atypical antipsychotics o. Zolpidem p.Carbamazepine q. Clonazepam r. Gabapentin s. Lamotrigine t. Levetiracetam u. Phenobarbital v. Phenytoin w. Topiramate x. Valproic Acid y. Zonisamide * History of medically significant suicide attempt. * Evidence of acute cardiac dysfunction as evidenced by either elevated troponin or EKG changes within 48 hours of administration. * Systolic blood pressure that is greater than 150 mmHg systolic on \> 2 readings during the 7-day monitoring period AND blood pressure medication management has been assured. * Diastolic blood pressure that is greater than 100 mmHg systolic on \> 2 readings during the 7-day monitoring period AND blood pressure medication management has been assured. * Systolic blood pressure is less than 90 mmHg systolic on \> 2 readings during the 7-day monitoring period after blood pressure medication management has been assured. * Diastolic blood pressure is less than 30 mmHg systolic on \> 2 readings during the 7-day monitoring period after blood pressure medication management has been assured. * Systolic blood pressure exceeds 160 mmHg or is less than 90 mmHg immediately prior to administration of psilocybin; patients are allowed to be on anti-hypertensives. * Diastolic blood pressure exceeds 100 mmHg or is less than 30 mmHg immediately prior to administration of psilocybin; patients are allowed to be on anti-hypertensives. * Cognitive impairment that, in the estimation of the study team, would preclude the use of the MindPod Dolphin. * History of physical or neurological condition that interferes with study procedures or assessment of motor function (e.g. severe arthritis, severe neuropathy, Parkinson's disease). * Social and/or personal circumstances that interfere with ability to perform follow up assessments. * Are pregnant or nursing. * Weigh less than 48 kg. * Are not able to give adequate informed consent. * Are actively abusing opioids, cocaine, Phencyclidine (PCP), amphetamines, or alcohol. * Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID-5) criteria for moderate or severe substance use disorder * Diagnosis of schizophrenia, history of prior psychosis, anxiety requiring hospitalization, or Type 1 bipolar. * Hypernatremia * Hypokalemia (but can have received repletion during the prior 24 hours) * Hyperkalemia * Glomerular filtration rate of \< 30 ml/min * Elevated of white blood cell count * Hemoglobin \< 7 g/dl * Platelet count \< 100,000 g/dl * Acute cardiac dysfunction demonstrated by either troponin elevation (chronic elevation is acceptable), or EKG changes suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. * Active suicidal ideation as assess by the C-SSRS.
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Victor Urrutia, M.D. — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Steven R Zeiler, M.D., Ph.D.
- Email: sz@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 303-520-7404
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.