Compare
Side by side
Pick up to three peptides to see how their mechanisms, studied uses and evidence levels differ. Rows where the entries disagree are marked with a blue edge.
Selected 1 of 3
Comparison
Intranasal insulin
Cognitive & neuro
Evidence level
Limited evidence
Approval status
Investigational
Mechanism of action
- 1.Insulin receptors are dense in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex and are involved in synaptic plasticity.
- 2.The nasal route delivers insulin to cerebrospinal fluid within about 15 to 30 minutes in studies.
- 3.Functional imaging shows increased hippocampal and prefrontal activity after nasal doses.
- 4.Reported modulation of amyloid and tau handling in cell and animal work.
- 5.Systemic absorption is limited, which is why hypoglycaemia is uncommon but possible.
Studied for
- Amnestic mild cognitive impairment
- Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
- Memory in healthy adults
- Cognition in type 2 diabetes
- Large multicentre trials of nasal insulin in Alzheimer's disease
Reported effects
- Some single-centre trials reported improved delayed verbal memory and preserved brain glucose metabolism
- Larger multicentre trials showed modest or no overall benefit
- Results across studies are inconsistent, with responders not predictable
- Occasional mild hypoglycaemia
Side effects
- Nasal irritation and runny nose
- Mild hypoglycaemia in a minority
- Headache
- Hypokalaemia with high systemic exposure
Research protocol
Research context only - investigational. Trials typically used 20 to 40 international units once or twice daily through a metered nasal device for 4 weeks to 12 months, with delayed recall and brain imaging as endpoints, and blood glucose monitored because a fraction is absorbed.
Research context only
Evidence justification
Several randomised trials exist but they are small and disagree; the larger multicentre studies did not confirm the memory benefits seen in single-centre work.