Promising Trial Suggests Common Drugs May Improve Brain Health in Early Alzheimer’s
Winston-Salem, NC – A new clinical trial indicates that a diabetes drug and a nasal insulin spray may improve brain health in individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease, offering a potential new avenue for treatment focused on metabolic function.Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine observed improvements in cognitive scores, blood flow, and white matter connectivity in participants receiving the combined therapies.
The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, builds on previous research linking insulin resistance to Alzheimer’s progression. The insulin nasal spray was selected due to insulin’s known effects on brain cells, including improved immune responses and blood flow. Participants treated with the spray demonstrated better scores on cognitive tests measuring memory and thinking. Brain scans revealed benefits in white matter connectivity – areas linked to memory – and increased cerebral blood flow.
“Our study suggests that targeting metabolism can change the course of Alzheimer’s disease,” said researcher Suzanne Craft. “Together, these findings highlight metabolism as a powerful new frontier in Alzheimer’s treatment.”
Unlike many current Alzheimer’s treatments that address later-stage symptoms, this approach focuses on the body’s metabolism and how it converts fuel into energy.The trial also showed a promising balance between boosting the immune system’s ability to fight disease and reducing the risk of damaging overactive immune responses and inflammation.
While the trial was relatively small and short-term, researchers plan to conduct larger, longer studies in individuals with early and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. “We believe these treatments could offer real therapeutic potential, either on their own or in combination with other Alzheimer’s therapies,” Craft stated.
