GLP-1/GCG dual agonist (mazdutide) for people with type 2 diabetes and early dementia
Official title: Effects of Mazdutide on Cognitive Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Early-Stage Cognitive Impairment: A Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-group, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Run by The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School · NCT07083154 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test whether weekly injections of mazdutide can help thinking and memory in people aged 50–75 who have type 2 diabetes and early dementia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 50 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 420 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Academic / other |
| Locations | 8 sites (Changsha, Hunan and 7 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 27, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 1, 2029 |
| Study ends | August 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | September 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07083154 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are people aged 50–75 with type 2 diabetes and early symptomatic dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MMSE >20 and <27, CDR global 0.5–1.0 with memory impairment), HbA1c 7.0–9.0%, BMI ≥20 kg/m², and a stable glucose and cognitive treatment regimen for at least 3 months.
✕Probably not a fit
People with more advanced dementia, outside the age or HbA1c/BMI ranges, unstable glucose control or treatment regimens, or major uncontrolled comorbidities are unlikely to benefit from this specific protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a 76-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling 420 people with type 2 diabetes and early symptomatic dementia. Participants are randomized 1:1 to weekly subcutaneous mazdutide with stepwise dose escalation (target maintenance 4.0 mg, optional increase to 6.0 mg if tolerated) or matched placebo while continuing their usual glucose-lowering therapy. The primary outcome is change in cognitive function, with key secondary outcomes including brain imaging, neurodegenerative biomarkers, metabolic measures, and safety. Participants undergo baseline cognitive and metabolic assessments, safety visits at Week 4 and every 8 weeks, and comprehensive evaluations including imaging at Weeks 28, 52, and 76.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, mazdutide could slow or improve cognitive decline and also improve metabolic control in people with type 2 diabetes and early dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Some GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown promising signals for neuroprotection in early trials and observational studies, but GLP-1/GCG dual agonists like mazdutide are newer and lack definitive phase 3 evidence in dementia.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association criteria;
2. Aged 50-75 years (inclusive), male or female.
3. Early-stage cognitive impairment (defined as mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia), with all of the following:
1. MMSE score \>20 and \<27,
2. CDR global score 0.5-1.0 (inclusive), with a CDR memory subscore ≥0.5,
3. A history of gradual and progressive cognitive decline for at least 6 months, reported by the participant or an informant.
4. Stable glycemic control regimen for ≥3 months prior to screening, meeting one of the following:
1. Lifestyle/dietary intervention alone (no glucose-lowering drugs),
2. Oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), with or without once-daily basal insulin.
5. HbA1c 7.0-9.0% (inclusive) at screening.
6. BMI ≥20 kg/m², with stable weight (fluctuation \<5%) for ≥3 months.
7. Stable treatment regimen for cognitive impairment for at least 3 months prior to screening and commit to its continuation throughout the study period, meeting one of the following criteria:
1. No treatment: Not receiving any pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive impairment;
2. Non-pharmacological therapy only: Engaged exclusively in non-drug interventions (e.g., cognitive training);
3. Pharmacological therapy: Using approved symptomatic cognitive-enhancing medications (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists), excluding disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD).
8. Ability to comply with systematic cognitive and functional assessments.
9. Fully understands the trial protocol, voluntarily signs the informed consent form (ICF), and agrees to adhere to all study requirements and restrictions.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Known or suspected neurodegenerative disorders other than AD that are likely to be a major cause of cognitive impairment or to interfere with cognitive assessment, including but not limited to frontotemporal dementia and related syndromes, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease with cognitive impairment or dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy, and Huntington's disease;
2. Current diagnosis of a poorly controlled or unstable psychiatric disorder (including but not limited to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorders, etc.), which, in the investigator's judgment, may interfere with study assessments, affect treatment compliance, or increase participant risk.
3. With a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score ≥10 at screening, or a Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) score ≥10 at screening.
4. Ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, transient ischaemic attack, or epileptic seizure within 3 months before screening; or other current or clinically significant central nervous system disorders or injuries likely to impair cognitive function or interfere with cognitive assessment, including but not limited to central nervous system infection, intracranial tumour, multiple sclerosis, metabolic encephalopathy, neurological disorders related to malnutrition, or severe traumatic brain injury;
5. Acute hyperglycemic/hypoglycemic events within 1 year, including: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), and Hypoglycemic coma
6. Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists, dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonists, or triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonists within 3 months before screening;
7. Regular use (\>2 doses/week) of moderate-to-strong anticholinergic drugs within 4 weeks prior to screening; Use within 3 months prior to screening of: Anti-Parkinsonian drugs, Antiepileptic drugs, Antipsychotics, Morphine and opioid analgesics (Exemption: Short-term use \[\<5 days\] for surgery/acute injury, if completed \>4 weeks before screening); Use within 4 weeks prior to screening of: CNS stimulants; Medical/recreational cannabis, cannabinoids, or cannabidiol (CBD).a. Moderate/high anticholinergics, antiparkinsonian/antiepileptic drugs.
8. Alcohol abuse (defined as \>21 units/week for men or \>14 units/week for women; 1 unit = 360 mL beer, 150 mL wine, or 45 mL spirits).
9. Medical history of:
1. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pancreatitis
2. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
3. Gallbladder/biliary disease, severe gastrointestinal disorders, or bowel resection
4. Active malignancy
10. Uncontrolled or potentially unstable diabetic retinopathy/maculopathy.
11. Severe organ dysfunction, including:
1. ALT/AST \>3× upper limit of normal (ULN);
2. eGFR \<45 mL/min/1.73m² (CKD-EPI equation);
3. History of unstable angina or myocardial infarction within 3 months before screening, or current heart failure of NYHA class II or higher.
12. Known/suspected hypersensitivity to the investigational product or related compounds
13. Pregnancy, lactation, or women of childbearing potential not using highly effective contraception.
14. MRI contraindications (e.g., metal implants, claustrophobia).
15. Participation in other clinical trials within 3 months, involving an investigational medicinal product or enrollment in any other type of medical research judged not to be scientifically or medically compatible with this study.
16. Any other condition deemed by the investigator to compromise safety or interfere with study assessments.
Where it's running
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Department of Endocrinology, Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital
Changzhou, Jiangsu, China Recruiting -
Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China Recruiting -
Department of Endocrinology, Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center,Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China Recruiting -
Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China Recruiting -
Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai General Hospital
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China Recruiting -
Department of Endocrinology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University
Shanghai, China Recruiting
Show 2 more locations
-
Department of Endocrinology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
Changsha, Hunan, China Not yet recruiting -
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University
Dalian, Liaoning, China Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yan Bi, MD, PhD — Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University
- Study coordinator: Yan Bi, MD, PhD
- Email: biyan@nju.edu.cn
- Phone: 6-25-83-105302.
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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.