- With Mayo Clinic clinical neuropsychologist
Glenn Smith, Ph.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Glenn Smith, Ph.D.
Glenn Smith, Ph.D.
Dr. Glenn Smith is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Smith, a Lincoln, Neb., native, has been with Mayo Clinic since 1990 and works with neurologists, psychiatrists, internists, social workers and nurses involved in diagnosing and providing care for people with dementia and their families.
"For Alzheimer's disease, there is currently no cure," he says. "The best 'medicine' for patient and family remains education and support. Hopefully, Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's disease Web resources contribute to compassionate care and understanding for Alzheimer's families."
Dr. Smith is a professor of psychology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, a consultant in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, and principal investigator of the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Education Core. He is past president of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology.
Risk factors (2)
- Oophorectomy (ovary removal): A risk factor for dementia?
- Alzheimer's: Can a head injury increase my risk?
Symptoms (1)
- Sundowning: Late-day confusion
Tests and diagnosis (2)
- Rapid-onset Alzheimer's: Could it be something else?
- Alzheimer's test: Detection at the earliest stages
Complications (1)
- Phantosmia: What causes olfactory hallucinations?
Treatments and drugs (4)
- Vitamin B-12: Can it improve memory in Alzheimer's?
- Folic acid supplements: Can they slow cognitive decline?
- Alzheimer's nose spray: New Alzheimer's treatment?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Alzheimer's: Can a Mediterranean diet lower my risk?
Alternative medicine (5)
- Vitamin B-12: Can it improve memory in Alzheimer's?
- Phosphatidylserine supplements: Can they improve memory?
- Ginkgo biloba: Can it prevent memory loss?
- see all in Alternative medicine
Prevention (1)
- Alzheimer's disease: Can exercise prevent memory loss?
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Question
Alzheimer's nose spray: New Alzheimer's treatment?
I recently heard about a new Alzheimer's treatment, a nose spray containing insulin. How does it work and is there an Alzheimer's nose spray available?
Answer
from Glenn Smith, Ph.D.
Insulin — a hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar — appears to play a role in normal memory processes. Insulin irregularities may contribute to cognitive and brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Research in the past few years has been investigating the use of insulin to treat Alzheimer's disease. One of the challenges is how to provide insulin in such a way that it improves brain function without disrupting your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar drops too low, for example, it can create complications such as confusion, heart palpitations, anxiety and visual disturbances.
Preliminary research suggests that when taken as a nose spray, insulin reaches the brain within a few minutes, improving memory without affecting blood sugar or insulin levels. This research involved only 26 participants who had either early Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. Although this research is promising, more research on the safety and effectiveness of intranasal insulin therapy for Alzheimer's disease is necessary. A phase II clinical trial on the use of inhaled insulin to treat Alzheimer's disease is currently under way. It will involve about 90 participants who have Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment and is due to be completed in August of 2009.
Next questionAntipsychotic drugs: Can they help people with Alzheimer's?
- Reger MA, et al. Effects of intranasal insulin on cognition in memory-impaired older adults: Modulation by APOE genotype. Neurobiology of Aging. 2006;27:451.
- SNIFF 120: Study of nasal insulin to fight forgetfulness (120 days). U.S. National Institutes of Health. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00438568?term=nasal+spray+AND+alzheimer&rank=1. Accessed Dec. 14, 2008.
