Dulaglutide for improving blood flow in severe intracranial artery narrowing
Official title: Role of Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist (GLP1 RA) Dulaglutide on Cerebral Hemodynamics In Patients With Severe and symptomAtic steNosis of inTracranial Internal Carotid Artery or Middle Cerebral Artery With Impaired Cerebral Vasodilatory Reserve- an Open-label Randomised Clinical Trial (RADIANT)
Run by National University of Singapore · NCT07282041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether dulaglutide can improve cerebral blood flow reserve in adults who recently had a TIA or mild ischemic stroke from severe narrowing of the intracranial carotid or middle cerebral artery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase2; Phase3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 21 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 130 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | National University of Singapore Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Singapore) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 17, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2030 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | December 23, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07282041 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 21–80 years old with a recent (within 3 months) TIA or mild ischemic stroke caused by severe intracranial ICA or MCA stenosis, documented impaired CVR, able to consent, and with mRS ≤3 are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with end-stage kidney disease, recent cancer, atrial fibrillation, a history of pancreatitis or medullary thyroid cancer, those planned for revascularization, or those who cannot stop certain diabetes medications are unlikely to benefit or may be excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is an open-label, randomized trial comparing dulaglutide plus best medical therapy versus best medical therapy alone in adults with recently symptomatic, severe intracranial carotid or middle cerebral artery stenosis and impaired cerebral vasodilatory reserve (CVR). CVR will be measured using transcranial Doppler breath-holding index and acetazolamide-challenged SPECT imaging at baseline and follow-up. Participants are adults aged 21–80 with TIA or mild stroke within the prior 3 months and modified Rankin Score ≤3. The primary approach tests whether the GLP-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide improves endothelial function and CVR in this high-risk group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, dulaglutide could improve cerebral vasodilatory reserve and potentially reduce the risk of recurrent ischemic events in patients with severe intracranial atherosclerosis.
How similar studies have gone: Large cardiovascular outcome trials have shown GLP-1 receptor agonists lower major cardiovascular events including nonfatal stroke, but using dulaglutide specifically to improve cerebral vasodilatory reserve in severe intracranial atherosclerosis is a novel application.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients aged 21 - 80 years old inclusive, * Able to provide consent, * Score 3 or less on the Modified Rankin Score (mRS), * Patients with TIA or mild stroke with severe stenosis of intracranial ICA or MCA and impaired CVR within previous 3-months of acute stroke or TIA Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic kidney disease stage 5 (eGFR\<15 mL/min) or on dialysis, * Cancer diagnosed within past 3 years, * Currently being planned for coronary or carotid artery revascularization, * History of previous pancreatitis, * History of medullary thyroid cancer, * Atrial fibrillation, * Any other condition likely to limit protocol compliance (judged by investigator). * For diabetic patients, patients should not be on Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor or pioglitazone during the duration of the study, unless these drugs can be stopped without affecting participants' medical condition. For those on Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP IV) inhibitor, this agent will be discontinued if the patient is randomised to the intervention group. * Known allergies to Acetazolamide. * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Where it's running
-
National University Hospital
Singapore, Singapore Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: vijay K sharma, MD — National University of Singapore
- Study coordinator: vijay K sharma, MD
- Email: mdcvks@nus.edu.sg
- Phone: 91389555
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Brain recovery after MCA reopening is studied with PET/MR
This study tests how brain blood flow, metabolism, and networks change after reopening a non-acute atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery occlusion in adults receiving recanalization treatment.
-
Paired VNS: How the Brain and Pupils Respond in Stroke Patients
This study tests real-time physiologic responses to paired VNS in adults with chronic motor impairment after ischemic stroke to help tailor dosing.
-
NeuroAiD test in mild to moderate ischemic stroke patients
This study tests whether adding MLC901 (NeuroAiD II) to standard stroke care helps adults who recently had an ischemic stroke recover better than standard care alone.
-
Using IMPROVE to guide carotid revascularisation decisions
This trial tests whether using the IMPROVE MRI-based score to select patients for carotid revascularisation is as good as standard care based mainly on stenosis degree, among people who have had a recent stroke or TIA due to carotid disease.
-
High-intensity interval versus moderate continuous exercise for stroke-related muscle loss
This will test whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MCIT) better helps people 1–6 months after an ischemic stroke who have muscle loss regain muscle mass, strength, walking ability, and quality of life.
-
Test of adding a very low-dose edoxaban to standard antiplatelet therapy to prevent another stroke in adults 75 and older
This trial tests whether adding a tiny amount of edoxaban to aspirin or clopidogrel can better prevent a second stroke in people aged 75+ who recently had an ischemic stroke.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.