A new nasal spray could potentially improve the memory and other mental capabilities for those suffering from Alzheimer’s. If reports are correct this could revolutionize the quality of life for over 5 million American’s who are living with the disease.
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem North Carolina, held the pilot study of 60 adults from the ages of 55 to 85 diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or mild to moderate Alzheimer’s dementia. Those who were in the study were given a man made form of insulin called insulin detemir, for a duration of 21 days.
The insulin detemir attaches to an album, which is a blood protein. Within the blood protein, the insulin detemir is absorbed into the album, which then allows it to travel throughout the body.
“Because the insulin detemir dissolves from the protein slowly, it has a longer period of exposure in the body,” stated lead study author Dr. Suzanne Craft, professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest Baptist to Fox News.
Doses of 40 international unit doses of insulin detemir were given to those in the trial, which showed that participant’s short-term ability to retain and process verbal and visual information significantly improved because of the nasal spray. Others were 20 IU doses or a placebo, and those individuals did not show the same mental improvements.
“Our team was surprised at the level of improvement for the participants with the gene that raises Alzheimer’s risk, as very few types of therapies have been shown to benefit these patients,” states Craft, but there still needs to be a larger study to be taken on a larger group of test subjects, who will be given the new drug for an extended period of time.
Craft then went on to state, “Alzheimer’s is a devastating illness, for which even small therapeutic gains have the potential to improve quality of life and significantly reduce the overall burden for patients, families and society. Future studies are warranted to examine the safety and efficacy of this promising treatment.”
If this treatment makes it through to the counters and is approved for use this could help so many struggling families who have had to worry and stress about loved ones stricken with Alzheimer’s.
Photo: Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
