Gut-Brain Neural Coupling in Spinal Cord Injury

Psychosocial/other
General health
Online since 18 November 2025, updated 15 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 28 participants with and without chronic spinal cord injury to test the effect of a preload meal versus no preload on signals between the gut and the brain during food intake. If included, participants will attend two study visits up to 2 weeks apart, where they will either: (i) eat a fixed serving of tomato soup (preload meal) followed by macaroni and cheese; or (ii) eat only macaroni and cheese, while their brain and stomach activity are measured. Final testing of gut–brain responses to food intake will be performed after 2 weeks.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 70 years
Injury level
C1 - C8
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-A
    AIS-B
    Time since injury
    ≥ 12 months
    Healthy volunteers
    Yes
    C1-C8

    What’s involved

    Type

    Psychosocial/other

    Details

    - Participants will attend two study visits up to 2 weeks apart, where they will either (i) eat a fixed serving of tomato soup (preload meal) followed by macaroni and cheese, or (ii) eat only macaroni and cheese, while their brain and stomach activity are measured. Each type of meal will be assigned to one of the two study visits. - Final testing of gut–brain responses to food intake will be performed after 2 weeks.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    General health

    Additional benefits

    Bowel health

    Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more


    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 29 Oct 2025
    • Organisation
    • University of Miami
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 29 Oct 2025
    • Organisation
    • University of Miami

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more