RecruitingNot Applicable

Using Nicotine to Reverse Age-related Auditory Processing Deficits

United States48 participantsStarted 2022-02-01

Plain-language summary

The present study will evaluate the effects of both aging and nicotine on psychophysical tasks and electrophysiological measures. Nicotine will be administered to study participants in the form of gum that is available as an over-the-counter medication. The hypothesis is that nicotine will reverse the detrimental effects of aging on auditory processing. The proposed experiments will characterize the effects of nicotine and may eventually lead to improved treatments of hearing loss in a variety of patient populations and in healthy aging.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 85 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * between 18 and 85 years of age * non-smokers with a score of 0-2 out of 10 maximum on the Fagerström index of smoking dependency * cognitive performance within two standard deviations of the CERAD mean Exclusion Criteria: * less than 18 or greater than 85 years of age * deafness or excessive hearing loss * smokers with a score between 3 and 10 on the Fagerström index of smoking dependency * history of psychiatric illness, neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, or cardiovascular disease * regular use of prescription medications (excluding oral contraceptives) * drug dependency

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Hearing thresholds

Timeframe: 1 hour

Modulation detection

Timeframe: 1 hour

Envelope following responses

Timeframe: 2 hours

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04971954

SponsorUniversity of California, Irvine

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-31

Contact for this trial

Fan-Gang Zeng

9498249107 fzeng@uci.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Auditory Perceptual Impairment trials