Mode
Text Size
Log in / Sign up
N/A N=12 Randomized Quadruple-blind Treatment

Effect of Medium Chain Fatty Acids on Cognitive Function During Acute Hypoglycemia in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

Enrolled (actual)
12
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Jan 2015
Primary outcome: Primary: Immediate Verbal Memory — 15.85; 17.36; 14.97; 13.28 units on a scale

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
Medium chain fatty acid (Octanoic and Decanoic acid) (Dietary_supplement); Splenda (Placebo Control) (Other)
Age
Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
Yale University
Primary completion
Jul 2008

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Immediate Verbal Memory
15.85; 17.36; 14.97; 13.28
PRIMARY
Delayed Verbal Memory
14.82; 15.33; 14.80; 11.58
PRIMARY
Verbal Memory Recognition
13.19; 14.27; 13.29; 12.14
PRIMARY
Digit Span Backward
0.60; 0.64; 0.58; 0.54
PRIMARY
Letter/Number Sequencing
12.04; 11.07; 10.97; 9.92
PRIMARY
Digit Symbol Coding
72.50; 74.04; 74.99; 68.56
PRIMARY
Map Search (2min)
73.30; 75.04; 75.11; 74.67
PRIMARY
Map Search (1min)
53.11; 50.35; 48.42; 42.94
PRIMARY
Telephone Search
2.86; 3.14; 3.06; 3.46

Summary

At present, there are no therapeutic agents that can minimize severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and its effects on long-term brain function. The aim of this study is to determine whether the human brain is able to use medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) and/or their metabolites as an alternative fuel source during acute hypoglycemia in patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). The hypothesis is that medium chain fatty acids will provide a rapidly absorbed, non-carbohydrate fuel that will improve cognitive performance during episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar.)

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus for greater than 5 years (C-peptide negative)
  • Age 18-55 years
  • Subject is on intensive insulin therapy resulting in a Hemoglobin A1c of less than 7.5%
  • History of frequent hypoglycemic events as defined as having at least one blood glucose of less than 60 mg/dl in the last four weeks

Exclusion Criteria

  • History of hypoglycemia induced seizures
  • Pregnancy
  • Significant baseline anemia (hemoglobin < 11.0g/dl or hematocrit < 33%)
  • A history of liver cirrhosis or porto-caval shunt surgery
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00592072). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

Back to search