Old drug, new hope: DCA may shield brain from low blood sugar in type 1 diabetes
NCT ID NCT05317455
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase study tests whether dichloroacetate (DCA), a drug used safely for decades in a rare metabolic disorder, can improve brain function during low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with type 1 diabetes. Sixteen participants with a history of severe hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia unawareness will receive DCA or a placebo in a crossover design. The goal is to see if DCA helps maintain cognitive function and brain glucose metabolism during controlled low blood sugar episodes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Dichloroacetate (DCA)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a way to protect brain function during low blood sugar episodes in people with type 1 diabetes.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early-phase pilot study with only 16 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The drug's effect on brain function under hypoglycemia is still uncertain.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Yale-New Haven Hospital
RECRUITINGNew Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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