Actively Recruiting
Effects of Psilocybin in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Led by Johns Hopkins University · Updated on 2026-01-12
24
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
116 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
J
Johns Hopkins University
Lead Sponsor
U
United States Department of Defense
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study aims to study the feasibility of psilocybin therapy for patients with Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with depressed mood. The secondary objective is to assess its impact on depression, quality of life, hopelessness, and functional status in this patient population.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Effects of Psilocybin in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients aged 18 years and older
- Diagnosis of ALS meeting El Escorial criteria for possible, probable, laboratory supported probable, or definite ALS
- Pulmonary forced vital capacity (FVC) greater than 60%
- Ability to swallow tablets by mouth (feeding tube use for psilocybin administration not allowed)
- Clinically significant depressive symptoms with Assessment of Depression Inventory (ADI)-12 score above 22
You will not qualify if you...
- Severe speech impairments including nonverbal status or reliance on assisted speech devices or writing/texting for communication
- Unable to consent for themselves
- Presence of tracheostomy or use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or BiPAP
- Known clinical evidence of frontotemporal dementia
- Cardiovascular conditions such as corrected QT interval (QTc) over 450 msec, uncontrolled hypertension, resting heart rate over 90 bpm, angina, significant ECG abnormalities, recent transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, or peripheral/pulmonary vascular disease
- History of epilepsy with seizures
- Renal disease with creatinine clearance below 40 ml/min
- Insulin-dependent diabetes or history of hypoglycemia if on oral hypoglycemic agents
- Females who are pregnant, nursing, or not using effective birth control methods
- Regular use of medications that interact with psilocybin including certain atypical and tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Use of Nuedexta, efavirenz, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors, alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors, or certain UGT1A9 or UGT1A10 inhibitors
- Current or past diagnosis of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder (except if substance-induced or medical condition related), or bipolar I disorder
- First-degree relative with schizophrenia, psychotic disorder (except if substance-induced or medical condition related), or bipolar I disorder
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21224
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Betsy Mosmiller
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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