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Review
. 2018 Jul 1;136(Pt B):196-201.
doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.11.037. Epub 2017 Nov 24.

Intranasal insulin in Alzheimer's disease: Food for thought

Colin D Chapman  1 , Helgi B Schiöth  2 , Claudia A Grillo  3 , Christian Benedict  2
Affiliations
Review

Intranasal insulin in Alzheimer's disease: Food for thought

Colin D Chapman et al. Neuropharmacology. .

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that disrupted brain insulin signaling promotes the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), driving clinicians to target this circuitry. While both traditional and more modern antidiabetics show promise in combating insulin resistance, intranasal insulin appears to be the most efficient method of boosting brain insulin. Furthermore, intranasal delivery elegantly avoids adverse effects from peripheral insulin administration. However, there remain significant open questions regarding intranasal insulin's efficacy, safety, and potential as an adjunct or mono-therapy. Thus, this review aims to critically evaluate the present evidence and future potential of intranasal insulin as a meaningful treatment for AD. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Metabolic Impairment as Risk Factors for Neurodegenerative Disorders.'

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Brain insulin resistance; Cognition; Intranasal insulin; Neurodegeneration.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

The authors have nothing to disclose and no conflicts of interest to report.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Mechanisms involved in Alzheimer’s disease that are likely promoted by brain insulin resistance and a lack of brain insulin and counteracted by intranasal insulin therapy. Abbreviations: Aβ, amyloid beta; AD, Alzheimer disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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