Brain fuel mystery: Glucagon's role in thinking and sugar
NCT ID NCT06921824
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study looked at how the hormone glucagon affects brain function and sugar use in 16 healthy adults. Participants received a gradually increasing dose of glucagon through an IV over three hours. The goal was to find the dose that changes blood sugar and other markers, helping researchers understand glucagon's role in the brain.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Glucagon
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help scientists understand how glucagon affects the brain and sugar use, possibly pointing toward new treatments for metabolic or cognitive disorders.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early pilot study in healthy people, not patients. It only looks at short-term effects, so results may not apply to real-world conditions or lead to any treatment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2025
- Finished
-
Sep 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
25 to 70 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Capable of understanding the participant information and signing the consent form * Between 25 and 70 years of age at the time of screening * Body mass index (BMI) ≤ 25 kg/m2 at the time of screening Exclusion Criteria: * Enrolment in other research projects that might interfere with the study * Diabetes diagnosis (type 1 and 2) * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Use of medications which, in the opinion of the investigator, may jeopardise participant's safety or compliance with the protocol * Impaired liver function defined as either alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) ≥ 2 times normal values * Kidney disease defined as serum creatinine levels ≥ 126 μmol/L for male and ≥ 111 μmol/L for female * Inadequately treated blood pressure at screening defined as repeated resting blood pressure outside the range 90-150 mmHg for systolic and 50-100 mmHg for diastolic * Active or recent malignant disease * Current or history of severe alcohol use or drug/chemical abuse as per investigator's judgement * Any chronic disorders or severe diseases which, in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardise participant's safety or compliance with the protocol
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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
Locations
-
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, 2400, Denmark
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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