Sweet Sensing in Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a global challenge and the number of people affected by diabetes is expected to rise to 5.5 million by 2030, of which 90% are type 2 diabetes (T2D). Habitual high consumption of sugars is an important risk factor in the development, and progression, of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Several studies have now shown that individuals with T2D have reduced lingual sweet taste sensation and this in turns increases their sugar intake to achieve the same hedonic reward values compared to the healthy population. This subsequently will lead to development of diabetes or worsening of the blood sugar control.

Phase 1 of our study aims to identify the alterations in oral sweet taste sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes and assess whether this is linked to sweet preference and habitual sugar consumption. In phase 2, we will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a powerful technique used widely for diagnosing disease and investigating physiological and pathological process, to investigate whether diabetes or prediabetes status modulates activation of taste and reward-related brain responses to lingual sweet taste stimulation. Phase 3 will be investigating the reward-related brain responses to gut taste stimulation using functional MRI.

These new data will reveal the central mechanisms of sweet sensing in different status of diabetes and this will help develop novel treatment targets to improve metabolic and vascular outcomes in individuals with prediabetes or T2D.

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Key information

Conditions

Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Endocrine System Diseases Glucose Intolerance Glucose Metabolism Disorders Hyperglycemia Metabolic Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases PreDiabetes Prediabetic State

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Nottingham

Nottingham, East Midlands, NG7 2QE, United Kingdom

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

General Eligibility Criteria

For T2D: Confirmed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (HbA1c>48 mmol/mol (6.5%) and managed by the anti-diabetic drug metformin alone diagnosed within the last 10 years
For Prediabetes: HbA1c 42-48 mmol/mol and no less than 3 years since diagnosis
Non-diabetes who had HbA1c screened at their GP in the last 12 months: HbA1c≤42mmol/mol

Phase 1

Inclusion criteria

Adults aged between 18 -60 years with type 2 diabetes or healthy individuals who had HbA1c checked within the last 12 months. Healthy volunteers who did not have HbA1c screened at their GP will be offered an opportunistic screening blood test.

Phase 2 and 3:

Inclusion criteria

right-handed adults between 18- 60 years with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes and healthy individuals who had HbA1c checked within the last 12 months. Healthy volunteers who did not have HbA1c screened at their GP will be offered an opportunistic screening blood test.

Exclusion criteria

Phase 1 exclusion criteria

Current pregnancy or breastfeeding
Current treatment with insulin or any other diabetic medications apart from metformin
History of neurological, gastrointestinal injury or disease
Any medication that is known to alter taste perception
Smokers

Phase 2 and 3 exclusion criteria

individuals with Neurological or gastrointestinal disorders (IBD/ IBS)
those who have contraindications to MRI including metal implants
those who are unable to lie flat
smokers
those who have taken part in research projects within the last 3 months (projects involving administering a drug, invasive procedure i.e. venepuncture >50 ml, endoscopy, or exposure to ionising radiation)

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

To assess the sensitivity and preference of lingual sweet taste in individuals with T2D, and those without T2D to evaluate how this is impacted by habitual sugar consumption.

Time frame: December 2024 to December 2026
To compare brain responses to lingual sweet sensing in individuals with prediabetes and T2D, and those without prediabetes or T2D, and their association with habitual sugar consumption.

Time frame: from Dec 2024 to Dec 2026

Secondary outcomes

To determine how brain responses to intestinal sweet sening predict the rate of intestinal glucose absorption.

Time frame: Feb 2025 to Dec 2026

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Nottingham

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Identifying the Mechanisms of Gut-brain Axis to Sweet Sensing in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Using Neuroimaging Techniques

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Feb 3, 2025
Registry last updated: Jul 8, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

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