Buspirone for Functional Dysphagia
Buspirone for Functional Dysphagia
This study evaluates the utility of buspirone in patients who have a diagnosis of functional
 dysphagia. All participants will be randomized to receive either a placebo pill or buspirone.
 Subsequently, we will evaluate whether their swallowing is improved. Participants who were
 randomized to receive placebo will then receive buspirone and those who were receiving
 buspirone will receive placebo. We will again evaluate whether their swallowing improved.
Buspirone helps to modulate molecules which can affect the activity of the muscles in the
 esophagus. Studies in the past have shown that in healthy people, buspirone can improve the
 vigor with which the esophagus squeezes to propel food into the stomach. In patients with
 functional dysphagia, the esophagus muscles may be weak (as defined by manometry).

 Our two phase study will evaluate both symptoms of difficulty swallowing and the vigor with
 which the esophagus propels a bolus in patients after they 1) receive placebo pills and 2)
 receive buspirone pills.

 We hypothesize that the placebo pills will not affect the vigor of the muscles or the
 symptoms of difficulty swallowing, but that buspirone will improve both outcomes.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Diagnosis of IEM per Chicago Classification, v3.0 criteria - as noted above

 -  Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) negative for mechanical obstruction

 -  Esophageal biopsies negative for eosinophilic esophagitis

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Pregnant women

 -  Prisoners

 -  Currently on other serotonin modulating medications