Insulin has always been well-known for treating diabetes, a disease in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood.
But what if a nasal spray containing insulin could prevent or slow Alzheimer's disease?
A small study published Tuesday in the Archives of Neurology found preliminary evidence that spraying the medication deep into the nose could help delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
The news is promising, especially since an estimated five million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and there's no known cure.
According to reports, scientists tested 104 patients with either early to moderate-stage Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment to see how they responded to the insulin spray. Thirty-six participants received a moderate dose of the insulin spray twice a day for four months, 36 got double that dose, and 30 of the patients were on placebo, a substance containing no medication and prescribed or given to reinforce a patient's expectation to get well.
Experts say the initial results were encouraging.
Compared to the placebo group, patients who took the moderate dose did 25 percent better on testing for memory than the placebo group over a four-month period, said Suzanne Craft, who led the research at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington School of Medicine.
Quotes
"The most well-known role of insulin is in treating diabetes. But, in the last few years, we have come to understand that insulin has a number of very important roles to play in the brain. In particular, it's very critical for memory, for memories -- for memories to form." SUZANNE CRAFT, Veteran Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System.
Warm Up Questions
1. What is a medical study?
2. What is Alzheimer's disease?
3. What is insulin?
Discussion Questions
1. What is a placebo? Why are placebos used in medical research?
2. Why is medical research important?
3. Do you know someone who has or has had Alzheimer's disease? Discuss.
Additional Resources
Blueberries Among Top Tips to Avoid Alzheimer's, Journalist Says
