Barrow Institute gets $5M for ibogaine brain injury trial

Barrow Neurological Institute secures funding for ibogaine trial

Barrow Neurological Institute has been awarded a $5 million grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services to conduct a Phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating the use of ibogaine for treating persistent symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study, set to begin participant enrollment in 2027, is one of the most anticipated in the field of neurological medicine, as it examines a compound traditionally linked to psychedelic therapy and addiction treatment.

What the study will investigate

The trial will focus on adults experiencing chronic symptoms following TBI, such as memory and attention deficits, mood disturbances, and balance issues. According to Susan Criswell, Barrow’s chief medical officer for clinical research, about half of TBI patients continue to suffer from symptoms six months post-injury. Current treatments often address isolated symptoms, but few target the comprehensive neurological and psychiatric impacts of TBI.

Ibogaine, derived from the West African shrub Tabernanthe iboga, interacts with multiple neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin, dopamine, and opioid pathways. It is metabolized into noribogaine, which may play a significant role in its effects on mood and cognition. The trial aims to determine whether these mechanisms can be beneficial for neurological injuries.

Study design and safety considerations

The Barrow trial will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, addressing limitations of previous open-label studies that lacked placebo comparisons. It will involve 40 participants, with half receiving ibogaine and the other half a placebo. The study will employ standardized assessments to evaluate changes in neurological, psychiatric, and quality-of-life metrics.

Safety is a critical aspect, given ibogaine's intense psychoactive effects and potential cardiac risks, such as QT interval prolongation. The trial will implement a hospital-based protocol with rigorous screening and continuous monitoring to ensure participant safety.

Collaborators and multidisciplinary approach

The project will involve Barrow’s Neuro Analytics Center and collaborators from Arizona State University, including Holly Lisanby, Candace Lewis, and Sarah Mennenga. This multidisciplinary team will integrate clinical neurology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and quantitative analysis to explore ibogaine’s impact on neural circuits related to stress, executive function, and emotional processing.

Why it matters

This trial could provide critical insights into whether ibogaine has a therapeutic role in treating long-term brain injuries. With its potential to influence interconnected biological systems affected by TBI, the study represents a significant step in understanding how psychedelic compounds might alter brain function and aid recovery.

Barrow Neurological Institute's initiative reflects a broader effort to explore the relationship between brain activity and the mind, expanding beyond traditional neurology to investigate how pharmacological interventions can modify perception, cognition, and behavior.