Intranasal Insulin Therapy for AD and Amnestic MCI

Insulin plays several roles in the brain, where abnormalities in insulin regulation may contribute to deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ), to the toxic effects of Aβ, or both — potentially key mechanisms underlying Alzheimer disease (AD). Recent development of an intranasal route for administration of insulin, with direct absorption into the brain, minimizes the potential for systemic effects, permitting therapeutic trials in patients with AD. Researchers have now conducted a pilot, single-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-month trial of two doses of intranasal insulin (10 international units or 20 units twice daily) involving 104 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild-to-moderate AD. Primary outcome measures wer…