Could common diabetes drugs reverse early memory loss?

NCT ID NCT05313529

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether three diabetes medications—liraglutide, empagliflozin, and linagliptin—can help reverse mild cognitive impairment (early memory and thinking problems) in people with type 2 diabetes. About 396 participants will take one of the drugs for 48 weeks, with an additional 28-week follow-up. The goal is to see if these drugs can improve memory and daily function enough to no longer meet the criteria for mild cognitive impairment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

liraglutide, empagliflozin, and linagliptin (diabetes medications)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a way to treat mild cognitive impairment in people with type 2 diabetes using existing diabetes drugs.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage, open-label trial with no placebo group, so results may be less reliable. The cognitive benefits may be small or not last long-term.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Cognitive Dysfunction type 2 diabetes mellitus

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Department of Endocrinology, Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University

    Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213000, China

  • Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University

    Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210000, China

  • Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University

    Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214000, China

  • Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School

    Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China

  • Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University

    Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China