Alcohol Use DisorderPhase 1/2ITANCT05988632
Intranasal Insulin for Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
A Phase 1/2 study of Alcohol Use Disorder, run by Brown University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT), within-subject, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled in non-treatment-seeking individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) (N=40, 50% female) randomized to IN insulin or placebo. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 25 Feb 2025to 31 Jan 2027
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- ≥21 years
- meet any DSM-5 criteria score for AUD
- Individuals who, in the last month, have consumed at least the same amount of alcohol that will be administered in the laboratory procedure (i.e. to reach BrAC levels of 0.08g/dl, ~two drinks in one occasion)
- BrAC=0.00g/dL at each visit
- good health as confirmed by medical history, physical examination and lab tests
- willing to adhere to the study procedures
- understand informed consent and questionnaires in English at an 8th grade level
- willing to have glucose monitored by finger stick during the laboratory procedures
Who cannot join
- • female identifying who are breastfeeding or pregnant (assessed by a urine screen)
- individuals with diabetes
- history of suicide attempts in the last three years
- current diagnosis of other substance use disorder (other than nicotine or cannabis)
- use of drugs (e.g. stimulants/opioids) at each alcohol administration session (by urine tox screen)
- cannabis intoxication (by clinical assessments)
Show all 10Show fewer
- use of medications that may interact with insulin and alcohol (by Micromedex database)
- hypersensitivity to insulin
- any nasal disease/congestion that may interfere with intranasal drug absorption;
- baseline hypoglycemia (blood glucose ≤65mg/dL) or hyperglycemia (blood glucose >200mg/dL) (by finger stick)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903
Zoe Brown, (401) 863-6646, alcohol-stress-study@brown.edu
Brian Gully, (401) 863-6646, alcohol-stress-study@brown.edu
About this study
This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT), within-subject, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled in non-treatment-seeking individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) (N=40, 50% female) randomized to IN insulin or placebo. In a bar laboratory setting, randomized participants will receive a single dose of IN insulin (80IU) or an IN matched placebo (0.9% Saline). Participants will undergo a cue-reactivity paradigm followed by an alcohol challenge that includes an alcohol drink designed to raise the breath alcohol content (BrAC) to 0.08g/dL.
Read the detailed description
Aims in this RCT testing the effect of IN insulin, compared to placebo, in individuals with AUD include the following:
AIM 1: to assess the safety, tolerability and acceptability of IN insulin as a pharmacological intervention for AUD. The data collected in this aim will monitor possible adverse events and yield qualitative and quantitative data to finalize the feasibility and acceptability of IN insulin as an AUD pharmacotherapy.
Aim 2 (alcohol-drug interaction): to assess the safety and tolerability of IN insulin when administered with alcohol. The investigators will use a battery of physiological/psychological assessments that measures potential adverse events, alcohol subjective response and alcohol pharmacokinetics endpoints.
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Being tested
- Regular Human Insulin then Placebo, Placebo then Regular Human Insulin
- Medical subject headings
- Alcoholism
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Regular Human Insulin then PlaceboDrug
Also called Novolin R
Insulin: 80 IU (administered intranasally) THEN Placebo: 0.9% saline solution (administered intranasally)
Placebo then Regular Human InsulinDrug
Also called Novolin R
Placebo: 0.9% saline solution (administered intranasally) THEN Insulin: 80 IU (administered intranasally)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin, Then Placebo | Experimental | There will be one single administration of intranasal human insulin (80IU) before alcohol self-administration. After a one week washout period, there will be one single intranasal administration of placebo (saline, 0.9% solution) before alcohol self administration. Receives: Drug: Regular Human Insulin then Placebo |
| Placebo, Then Insulin | Experimental | There will be one single intranasal administration of placebo (saline, 0.9% solution) before alcohol self administration. After a one week washout period, there will be one single administration of intranasal human insulin (80IU) before alcohol self-administration. Receives: Drug: Placebo then Regular Human Insulin |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
intranasal adverse events
Adverse event reported during the drug administration
Measured: From baseline to post-treatment (1 day)
Secondary outcomes (1)
insulin alcohol interaction
Adverse event reported during the alcohol administration
Measured: From baseline to post-treatment (1 day)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Aug 2023
- Study start25 Feb 2025
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Alcohol Use DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Brown UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Brown University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Carolina L Haass-Koffler, Brown University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05988632
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00000134
- Acronym
- ITA
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Jul 2023
- Last updated
- 30 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Haass-Koffler CL, Kashyap B, Gully BJ, Nambiar SS, Hornbacher R, Foster SL, Silberman Y, Swift RM, Hanson LR, Frey WH 2nd. Intranasal insulin for the treatment of alcohol use disorder: design and methodology of an alcohol interaction randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2025 Jun 10;46:101509. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2025.101509. eCollection 2025 Aug.
PubMed 40584152
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Intranasal Insulin for Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05988632
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ITA / STUDY00000134
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Brown UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT), within-subject, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled in non-treatment-seeking individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) (N=40, 50% female) randomized to IN insulin or placebo. In a bar laboratory setting, randomized participants will receive a single dose of IN insulin (80IU) or an IN matched placebo (0.9% Saline). Participants will undergo a cue-reactivity paradigm followed by an alcohol challenge that includes an alcohol drink designed to raise the breath alcohol content (BrAC) to 0.08g/dL.
Detailed description
Aims in this RCT testing the effect of IN insulin, compared to placebo, in individuals with AUD include the following:
AIM 1: to assess the safety, tolerability and acceptability of IN insulin as a pharmacological intervention for AUD. The data collected in this aim will monitor possible adverse events and yield qualitative and quantitative data to finalize the feasibility and acceptability of IN insulin as an AUD pharmacotherapy.
Aim 2 (alcohol-drug interaction): to assess the safety and tolerability of IN insulin when administered with alcohol. The investigators will use a battery of physiological/psychological assessments that measures potential adverse events, alcohol subjective response and alcohol pharmacokinetics endpoints.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin, Then Placebo | Experimental | Drug: Regular Human Insulin then PlaceboThere will be one single administration of intranasal human insulin (80IU) before alcohol self-administration. After a one week washout period, there will be one single intranasal administration of placebo (saline, 0.9% solution) before alcohol self administration. |
| Placebo, Then Insulin | Experimental | Drug: Placebo then Regular Human InsulinThere will be one single intranasal administration of placebo (saline, 0.9% solution) before alcohol self administration. After a one week washout period, there will be one single administration of intranasal human insulin (80IU) before alcohol self-administration. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- ≥21 years
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- • female identifying who are breastfeeding or pregnant (assessed by a urine screen)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Human Insulin then PlaceboAlso: Novolin RInsulin: 80 IU (administered intranasally) THEN Placebo: 0.9% saline solution (administered intranasally) | Drug | Insulin, Then Placebo |
| Placebo then Regular Human InsulinAlso: Novolin RPlacebo: 0.9% saline solution (administered intranasally) THEN Insulin: 80 IU (administered intranasally) | Drug | Placebo, Then Insulin |
Primary outcome
intranasal adverse events
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (1 day)
Adverse event reported during the drug administration
1 secondary outcome
insulin alcohol interaction
Time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (1 day)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Sep 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40584152Haass-Koffler CL, Kashyap B, Gully BJ, Nambiar SS, Hornbacher R, Foster SL, Silberman Y, Swift RM, Hanson LR, Frey WH 2nd. Intranasal insulin for the treatment of alcohol use disorder: design and methodology of an alcohol interaction randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2025 Jun 10;46:101509. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2025.101509. eCollection 2025 Aug.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Alcohol Use Disorder
Recruiting
Trial Phase: Syndemic Adapted Medly Uganda
Mental Health
Not yet recruiting
Substance Use and Media Preferences
Substance Use Behavior, Cannabis Intoxication
RecruitingPhase 1
Environment and Alcohol: A Pilot Study
Alcohol Use Disorder
RecruitingObservational study
SMART-r: Substance Monitoring and Active Relapse Tracking Repository
Alcoholism, Substance-Related Disorders
Not yet recruiting
A MRT to Optimize a JITAI for Alcohol Craving and Suicide Ideation
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Suicide Ideation
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1/2 study of Alcohol Use Disorder, run by Brown University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Carolina L Haass-Koffler (4155191385, carolina_haass-koffler@brown.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
intranasal adverse events (time frame: From baseline to post-treatment (1 day)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05988632, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Sep 2026.