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Testosterone and Neural Function
The Role of Androgens in Neurophysiological and Autonomic Function in Male Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury
Who can join
Ages 18 to 80 · Men · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male * Hypogonadal (Serum Total T \<300 ng/dL, Free T \<46 pg/mL, or bioavailable T \<110 ng/dL) with signs/symptoms of hypogonadism * Age 18-80 years * Traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) * Time since injury (TSI) more than 12 months * American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Injury classification Scale (AIS) A, B, C, or D * Stable prescription medication regimen for at least 30 days * Not currently receiving pharmacological treatment for hypogonadism * Must be able to commit to study requirements of 3 visits within a 30-day period * Provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Extensive history of seizures * Ventilator dependence or patent tracheostomy site * History of neurologic disorder other than SCI * History of moderate or severe head trauma * Currently receiving treatment for hypogonadism * History of allergy, hypersensitivity, or other significant adverse reaction to testosterone replacement therapy * Significant cardiovascular disease or cardiac conduction disease * Active psychological disorder * Moderate or severe brain injury, stroke, tumor, multiple sclerosis, or abscess * Recent history (within 3 months) of substance abuse * Pressures sores stage 3 or greater * Active infection * Frequent severe migraines * Recent history (within past 6 months) of recurrent autonomic dysreflexia, defined as a syndrome of sudden rise in systolic pressure greater than 20 mm Hg or diastolic pressure greater than 10 mm Hg, without rise in heart rate, accompanied by symptoms such as headache, facial flushing, sweating, nasal congestion, and blurry vision (this will be closely monitored during all screening and testing procedures) * History of implanted devices with electromagnetic properties: brain/spine/nerve stimulators, aneurysm clips, ferromagnetic metallic implants in the head (except for inside mouth); cochlear implants; cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator; intracardiac lines; currently increased intracranial pressure; or other contraindications to brain or spine stimulation * Use of medications that significantly lower seizure threshold, such as amphetamines, neuroleptics, dalfampridine, and bupropion.
About the study
Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the nerves controlling movement, along with those that regulate functions like heart rate and blood pressure (known as the autonomic nervous system, or ANS). Testosterone (T) plays a significant role in brain health and ANS reflex function in non-neurologically impaired men. However, little is known about the relationships between T, nerve function, and ANS dysfunction after SCI. Interestingly, up to 60% of men with SCI exhibit persistently low T concentrations, which may worsen nerve and ANS dysfunction. In uninjured eugonadal people (normal physiologic range of serum T concentrations), a single pharmacologic dose of intranasal T has been shown to quickly improve nerve function, but no study has evaluated if T administration alters nerve and ANS function in men with SCI. Herein, the investigators will conduct the first study to test how a single dose of intranasal T impacts motor and ANS function in this population.
What is being tested
- Natesto testosterone intranasal gel (drug)
- Ayr Saline Nasal Gel (drug)
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Participants: 15 · Started: Apr 1, 2024
Contact the study team
- Jacob A Goldsmith, PhD · Phone: (718) 584-9000
- Noam Y Harel, MD PhD · Phone: (718) 584-9000
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06130449
Locations in the U.S.
| New York | James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, The Bronx |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 29, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.