CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT00592072Updated Jan 22, 2015Results posted

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

An interventional study of Medium chain fatty acid (Octanoic and Decanoic acid) and Splenda (Placebo Control) in Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, sponsored by Yale University. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 55 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2015-01-22.

Sponsored by Yale University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
12
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 55 Years
Sex
All
01

Study 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.)

Read the detailed description

Twelve subjects between the ages of 18 years and 55 years who have had Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus for more than five years and have had tight control of their diabetes as determined by screening blood work will be invited to participate. Each study subject will undergo two hypoglycemic clamp studies (a procedure where the blood sugar is closely regulated with intravenous insulin and glucose.) In these hypoglycemic clamp studies, cognitive testing will be performed during 90 minutes of normal blood glucose followed by 90 minutes of hypoglycemia. During the hypoglycemic period, either the MCFA or a placebo will be administered. Each subject will experience both conditions. The order in which the MCFA is given will be randomized.

02

Conditions studied

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

Keywords

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
  • Medium Chain Fatty Acid
  • Hypoglycemia
03

In context

Diabetes Mellitus

10,925 studies on the registry are indexed under Diabetes Mellitus; 1,319 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 12 is below the median of 80 across 8,367 interventional studies indexed under Diabetes Mellitus.

Browse Diabetes Mellitus studies →

Lead sponsor

Yale University is the lead sponsor of 1,724 studies on the registry; 298 are open to participants now.

Of its 210 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 126 (60%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 55 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

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

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
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
12 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Medium chain fatty acid (Octanoic and Decanoic acid)

    Dietary Supplement: Medium chain fatty acid (Octanoic and Decanoic acid)

  • Placebo comparator
    Splenda (Placebo Control)

    Other: Splenda (Placebo Control)

Interventions

  • Dietary supplementMedium chain fatty acid (Octanoic and Decanoic acid)

    Octanoic acid(67%) and Decanoic acid (27%); MCFA 50g total at 25 minute intervals with front loading of 20g then 10g for three administrations.

    Also known as: Medium Chain Triglycerides, Octanoic and Decanoic acid, Fractionated coconut oil

  • OtherSplenda (Placebo Control)

    Placebo drink will consist of dietary sweetener Splenda mixed in water at a concentration of 1g/100mL. An unsweetened cherry flavor Koolaid mix will be added at a concentration of 0.3g/100mL of the Splenda drink to enhance flavor.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Immediate Verbal Memory

    Results of cognitive function in diabetic patients using tests such as digit symbol substitution (a test of memory), tests of everyday attention, telephone book searching and map searching during either administration of medium chain triglyceride oil or a control solution. The goal was to determine whether the human brain is able to use medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and /or their metabolites as an alternative fuel source and thus improve brain function during acute hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes. The lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 25. A higher score is an improvement.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

  2. Delayed Verbal Memory

    The highest score is 25 and the lowest score is 0. The higher scored indicate an improvement.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

  3. Verbal Memory Recognition

    The highest score is 15. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

  4. Digit Span Backward

    The highest score is 35. The lowest score is 0. The higher the score indicates an improvement.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

  5. Letter/Number Sequencing

    The highest score is 21. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

  6. Digit Symbol Coding

    The highest score is 133. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

  7. Map Search (2min)

    The highest score is 80. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

  8. Map Search (1min)

    The highest score is 80. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

  9. Telephone Search

    This is a ratio of how many symbols are found during a certain period of time. The highest ratio is the best result.

    Time frame: 90 minutes

07

Results

Posted Jan 5, 2015
Limitations and caveats
No technical limitations were seen.

Participant flow

First Sequence
Participant flow — First Sequence
MilestoneMCT Intervention First, Then PlaceboPlacebo Intervention First, Then MCT Intervention
Started66
Completed66
Not completed00
Wash Out Period
Participant flow — Wash Out Period
MilestoneMCT Intervention First, Then PlaceboPlacebo Intervention First, Then MCT Intervention
Started66
Completed55
Not completed11
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up11
Second Sequence
Participant flow — Second Sequence
MilestoneMCT Intervention First, Then PlaceboPlacebo Intervention First, Then MCT Intervention
Started55
Completed55
Not completed00

Outcome measures

PrimaryImmediate Verbal Memory

Results of cognitive function in diabetic patients using tests such as digit symbol substitution (a test of memory), tests of everyday attention, telephone book searching and map searching during either administration of medium chain triglyceride oil or a control solution. The goal was to determine whether the human brain is able to use medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and /or their metabolites as an alternative fuel source and thus improve brain function during acute hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes. The lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 25. A higher score is an improvement.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Immediate Verbal Memory
units on a scaleType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia15.85 ± 0.6617.36 ± 13.28
Hypoglycemia14.97 ± 1.1313.28 ± 1.04
PrimaryDelayed Verbal Memory

The highest score is 25 and the lowest score is 0. The higher scored indicate an improvement.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Delayed Verbal Memory
units on a scaleType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia14.82 ± 1.2515.33 ± 1.40
Hypoglycemia14.80 ± 1.3111.58 ± 0.71
PrimaryVerbal Memory Recognition

The highest score is 15. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Verbal Memory Recognition
units on a scaleType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia13.19 ± 0.5314.27 ± 0.23
Hypoglycemia13.29 ± 0.5012.14 ± 0.19
PrimaryDigit Span Backward

The highest score is 35. The lowest score is 0. The higher the score indicates an improvement.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Digit Span Backward
units on a scaleType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia0.60 ± 0.050.64 ± 0.05
Hypoglycemia0.58 ± 0.050.54 ± 0.05
PrimaryLetter/Number Sequencing

The highest score is 21. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Letter/Number Sequencing
units on a scaleType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia12.04 ± 0.8111.07 ± 0.85
Hypoglycemia10.97 ± 0.769.92 ± 0.71
PrimaryDigit Symbol Coding

The highest score is 133. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Digit Symbol Coding
units on a scaleType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia72.50 ± 5.2774.04 ± 4.59
Hypoglycemia74.99 ± 4.5668.56 ± 3.54
PrimaryMap Search (2min)

The highest score is 80. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Map Search (2min)
units on a scaleType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia73.30 ± 1.7075.04 ± 1.92
Hypoglycemia75.11 ± 1.5174.67 ± 1.51
PrimaryMap Search (1min)

The highest score is 80. The lowest score is 0. Higher scores indicate an improvement.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · units on a scale
Map Search (1min)
units on a scaleType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia53.11 ± 4.1650.35 ± 3.27
Hypoglycemia48.42 ± 3.1942.94 ± 2.31
PrimaryTelephone Search

This is a ratio of how many symbols are found during a certain period of time. The highest ratio is the best result.

Time frame:
90 minutes
Reported as:
Least squares mean · symbols/ 90 min
Telephone Search
symbols/ 90 minType 1 Diabetes With MCT OilType 1 Diabetes Without MCT Oil
Euglycemia2.86 ± 0.173.14 ± 0.26
Hypoglycemia3.06 ± 0.203.46 ± 0.34

Adverse events

Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
MCT Intervention—0/12 (0%)3/12 (25%)
Placebo Intervention—0/12 (0%)0/12 (0%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventMCT InterventionPlacebo Intervention
Gastrointestinal SymptomsGastrointestinal disorders3/120/12

Baseline characteristics

The baseline number of subjects reflects the number of subjects with baseline data

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Overall Number of Subjects
Mean34.8 ± 8.9
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Overall Number of Subjects
Female6
Male5
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Yale University School of Medicine
    New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 22, 2015, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00592072
Lead sponsor
Yale University
Collaborators
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jan 11, 2008
Start date
Jul 2005
Primary completion
Jul 2008
Completion
Jul 2008
Results posted
Jan 5, 2015
Last update
Jan 22, 2015

Study contacts

Robert Sherwin, M.D.
principal investigator · Yale University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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