RecruitingNot ApplicableObservational

The effects of morphine treatment on functional brain scans in patients with chronic cough

This study investigates why some people have a chronic cough that lasts over 8 weeks and doesn't get better with usual treatments. This is called Refractory Chronic Cough (RCC). We believe it might be linked to oversensitive nerves or how the brain controls coughing. Researchers are giving a small, slow-release dose of morphine to people with RCC before and after special brain scans called fMRI. This helps us see if morphine changes the brain's activity in areas that control coughing. Although there’s no direct benefit to participants, we hope this research will help us understand RCC better and lead to more effective treatments in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Not Applicable

Sponsor

University of Manchester

Enrolment target

Start

16 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

31 Oct 2026

Refractory chronic cough

What is this study about?

Imagine you have a cough that just won’t go away, even after trying different medications or doctors can’t find a clear cause. This is what we call Refractory Chronic Cough (RCC). It’s a really bothersome condition that can significantly affect daily life, and for many, we don’t have good treatments yet. We think this type of cough might be due to nerves in the airways becoming too sensitive, or perhaps there's a problem with how the brain normally puts a brake on coughing.

Interestingly, some people with RCC have found relief with a very low dose of morphine, a medicine often used for pain. However, we don't fully understand why it helps with coughing. Our study wants to explore this. We're using a special type of brain scan, an fMRI, to look at brain activity in people with RCC before and after they take a low, slow-release dose of morphine. We want to see if morphine changes how different parts of the brain communicate, especially those involved in controlling cough.

By comparing these brain scans and looking at how much a person's coughing changes, we hope to learn more about the underlying reasons for RCC and how morphine might be working. This knowledge could be a big step towards developing brand new, more effective treatments for this difficult condition in the future.

Key takeaways

The study explores how low-dose morphine affects the brains of people with long-term cough.
It uses special brain scans (fMRI) to understand brain activity related to cough.
Participation involves 6 visits over roughly 3 weeks, including scans and cough monitoring.
The goal is to understand chronic cough better and find new treatments.
You won't get immediate direct benefits, but your help is vital for future research.
A very low dose of morphine is used, and potential risks like mild side effects are carefully managed.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for men and women between the ages of 18 and 80 who have a long-term cough that hasn't responded to other treatments. You must not be a current smoker, and if you used to smoke, you should have quit at least 6 months ago and had a limited smoking history. We also need people who are right-handed for the brain scans. Before joining, doctors will check that your lungs are generally healthy and that your chronic cough isn't caused by other major lung conditions like severe asthma or COPD.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you've had a recent lung infection. If you're currently taking certain medications that affect cough or regularly use strong painkillers, you might not be suitable. You also can't have any metal implants in your body or severe claustrophobia, as these can be an issue with the brain scans. We will also check to make sure you don't have certain other serious health conditions that could make taking part unsafe or affect the study results.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Do you have a cough that has lasted over 8 weeks and hasn't responded to other treatments?
Are you a non-smoker, or did you quit smoking more than 6 months ago with a limited smoking history?
Are you right-handed?
Do you have no metal implants in your body and are comfortable in enclosed spaces (for the brain scan)?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll have six visits over about three weeks. Most of these visits will be at specialist centres in Manchester, with the last check-up done over the phone. During your visits, we'll do several things:

* **Health Checks:** We'll regularly check your vital signs (like heart rate and blood pressure), do breathing tests, and some urine tests. * **Questionnaires:** You'll complete some forms about your health and how your cough affects you. * **Cough Monitoring:** You'll wear a small device that records your coughs to help us measure how often you cough. * **Brain Scans (fMRI):** You'll have special scans of your brain, similar to an MRI, which help us see how your brain is working. You'll have one scan before taking morphine and another after. * **Medication:** You will be given a very low dose of slow-release morphine during the study, and we'll monitor its effects.

The entire study period, from your first visit to your final phone call, will last for a maximum of 23 days.

Potential risks and benefits

While taking part in this study won't directly improve your cough immediately, we truly hope that what we learn will help us understand chronic cough better and lead to more effective treatments for others in the future. We want to make sure you're aware of the potential risks. The brain scans use magnets and are very safe, but we'll check for any metal in or on your body and if you experience claustrophobia. A very low dose of morphine is used, which usually has few side effects, but it can sometimes cause constipation, an upset stomach, or drowsiness; our doctors will manage any side effects you might experience. The cough monitor records sound, so some personal conversations might be captured, but these recordings are kept very secure and confidential. You are free to stop taking part in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (3)

North West Lung Research Centre
City only
Manchester, England
Royal Preston Hospital
Approximate
Preston, England
University of Manchester PET-MR Imaging Unit
City only
Manchester, England

Common questions

What is Refractory Chronic Cough (RCC)?

It's a long-lasting cough (more than 8 weeks) that hasn't responded to usual treatments or doctors can't find a clear cause for it.

What is fMRI?

It's a special type of brain scan, similar to an MRI, that shows how different parts of your brain are active and communicating.

Will I get better quickly if I join the study?

There's no guarantee of immediate improvement, but your participation will help doctors learn more about chronic cough to develop better treatments in the future.

Are the brain scans safe?

Yes, fMRI scans use magnets, not radiation, so there's no radiation risk. We'll check carefully to make sure it's safe for you.

Can I stop participating if I change my mind?

Absolutely. You can withdraw from the study at any point, with no questions asked, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Rachel Dockry

rachel.dockry@manchester.ac.uk +44 (0)1612915029 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.