Could insulin in the brain be linked to depression in teens?
NCT ID NCT05571878
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study examined 24 adolescents (ages 14-18) with and without depression to see if their brains respond differently to insulin. Participants received insulin or a placebo nasal spray, and MRI scans measured brain activity and blood flow. The goal was to understand if brain insulin resistance is a feature of depression, which could open new avenues for future treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
intranasal insulin (Humalog) and saline placebo nasal spray
What this could lead to
If it works, this could reveal a new biological link between insulin and depression, pointing toward future treatments targeting brain metabolism.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study with only 24 participants, so results may not apply broadly. It is designed to gather knowledge, not to test a treatment.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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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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Locations
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Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H3, Canada