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Intranasal Insulin to Improve Memory Function in Humans
Christian Benedict^a, Manfred Hallschmid^a, Bernd Schultes^c, Jan Born^a, Werner Kern<sup>b

a</sup>Department of Neuroendocrinology and
^bInternal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany;
^cInterdisciplinary Obesity Center East Switzerland, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuroendocrinology 2007;86:136-142 (DOI: 10.1159/000106378)

  Key Words

• Intranasal insulin
• Memory function, humans
• Pancreatic hormone insulin
• Memory in AD patients

  Abstract

Background: Compelling evidence indicates that central nervous insulin enhances learning and memory and in particular benefits hippocampus-dependent (i.e., declarative) memory. Intranasal administration of insulin provides an effective way of delivering the compound to the central nervous system, bypassing the blood-brain barrier and avoiding systemic side effects. Methods: Here we review a series of recent studies on the effects of intranasally administered insulin on memory functions in humans. In accordance with the beneficial effects of intravenously administered insulin on hippocampus-dependent declarative memory observed in hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies, intranasal insulin administration similarly improves this type of memory, but in the absence of adverse peripheral side effects. Result andConclusion: Considering that cerebrospinal fluid insulin levels are reduced in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, these results may be of considerable relevance for future clinical applications of insulin in the treatment of memory disorders.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Christian Benedict
Department of Neuroendocrinology, University of Lübeck
Ratzeburger Allee 160, Hs 23a, DE-23538 Lübeck (Germany)
Tel. +49 451 500 4602, Fax +49 451 500 3640
E-Mail benedict@kfg.uni-luebeck.de

  Article Information

Received: May 14, 2007
Accepted after revision: June 25, 2007
Published online: July 20, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 53