Low Dose Insulin Spray May Aide Alzheimer’s

Researchers advocate that their results demonstrate that by administering the nasal spray just may have a therapeutic benefit for those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or Alzheimer's disease, according to Dr. Suzanne Craft, PhD., psychologist at Veteran's Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System and the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, and associates. Their four month study appears online in the September 12th Archives of Neurology.

The study consisted of 104 participants with mild memory problems associated to Alzheimer's or had aMCI. Thirty-six participants received 20 IU units of insulin daily, 38 had received 40 IU daily and 30 received a daily placebo.

Researchers evaluated the insulin's effects on the thought processes, glucose metabolism in the brain, everyday functioning and other factors.

All of the treatments that participants received were administered by a nasal delivery device manufactured by Kurve Technology of Bothell, Washington.

Four months later the participants receiving the moderate dosage (20 IU) demonstrated improvements in delayed story recall in comparison to the placebo group. No improvement had been shown in the high group of insulin (40 IU) in comparison to the placebo group.

All participants that received insulin had demonstrated improvements in general thinking skills. Also the participants on insulin had shown no declines on standard dementia tests given before and after the study in comparison to placebo group.

Dr. Craft and associates note in their study that these results give an incentive for future trials.

New York University Langone Medical Center, Dr. James Glavin stated even though the study was small it gives "some of the most convincing evidence to date that insulin treatment may alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease."

Today in the United States there is more than 4.5 million Americans who have Alzheimer's.

There are alternative treatments which can help Alzheimer's such as:

Chiropractic

Dr. Robert Vassar, PhD., Northwestern University had discovered that when the brain does not receive enough glucose, the brain may become deprived of proper nutrients when the blood flow is restricted. Dr. Vassar had commented this is a major discovery because it suggests that by improving the blood flow to the brain it could be an effective therapeutic method to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease.

Upper Cervical adjustments performed by chiropractors improve the biomechanics of the cervical spine which carries and protects the vertebral arteries. When the misalignment is corrected it could be a great benefit to those who are at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Reflexology

Foot reflexology can aide in stimulating the brain and memory. Regular treatments should be received.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's. There is evidence that acupuncture increases the neurotransmitters in the brain and can activate nerve regeneration.

Sources:

Health US News

Reuters

ALT MD

TCM