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Cited by 699Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsMemory and Neural MechanismsDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Intranasal insulin improves memory in humans

Benedict, Christian, Hallschmid, Manfred, Hatke, Astrid, Schultes, Bernd, Fehm, Horst L, Born, Jan, Kern, Werner·2004·Psychoneuroendocrinology
DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.04.003
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Abstract

Previous studies have suggested an acutely improving effect of insulin on memory function. To study changes in memory associated with a prolonged increase in brain insulin activity in humans, here we used the intranasal route of insulin administration known to provide direct access of the substance to the cerebrospinal fluid compartment. Based on previous results indicating a prevalence of insulin receptors in limbic and hippocampal regions as well as improvements in memory with systemic insulin administration, we expected that intranasal administration of insulin improves primarily hippocampus dependent declaration memory function. Also, improvements in mood were expected. We investigated the effects of 8 weeks of intranasal administration of insulin (human regular insulin 4 x 40 IU/d) on declarative memory (immediate and delayed recall of word lists), attention (Stroop test), and mood in 38 healthy subjects (24 males) in a double blind, between-subject comparison. Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels did not differ between the placebo and insulin conditions. Delayed recall of words significantly improved after 8 weeks of intranasal insulin administration (words recalled, Placebo 2.92 +/- 1.00, Insulin 6.20 +/- 1.03, p < 0.05). Moreover, subjects after insulin reported signs of enhanced mood, such as reduced anger (p < 0.02) and enhanced self-confidence (p < 0.03). Results indicate a direct action of prolonged intranasal administration of insulin on brain functions, improving memory and mood in the absence of systemic side effects. These findings could be of relevance for the treatment of patients with memory disorders like in Alzheimer's disease.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.04.003

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  • Simple nasal atomisers have been proven to reliably trigger functional effects in healthy humans.

    “simple nasal atomisers, 37 which have been proven to reliably trigger functional effects in healthy humans”

    From Intranasal insulin (2021) · cites this paper as [38]

  • Signs of reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity as a result of IN insulin were observed in human participants under resting conditions after 8 weeks of daily administration.

    “Signs of reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity as a result of IN insulin were, however, also observed in human participants under resting conditions after 8 weeks of daily administration.”

    From Intranasal insulin (2021) · cites this paper as [38]

  • The 8-week paradigm of IN insulin administration improved rated mood in normal-weight and obese participants.

    “The 8-week paradigm of IN insulin administration described above improved rated mood in normal-weight,38 as well as obese participants.87”

    From Intranasal insulin (2021) · cites this paper as [38]

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Authors
Benedict, C., Hallschmid, M., Hatke, A., Schultes, B., Fehm, H. L., Born, J., & Kern, W.
Affiliations
University of Lübeck (DE)
Corresponding author
Benedict, Christian
ORCID
Benedict, Christian
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-11
Volume
29
Issue
10
Pages
1326-1334
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.04.003
OpenAlex
W2123541107
Cited by
699
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 46 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 49 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 45
FWCI
9.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Keywords
intranasal insulin, memory, declarative memory, delayed recall, mood, attention, Stroop task, hippocampus, insulin receptor, Alzheimer's disease, cerebrospinal fluid insulin
MeSH terms
Administration, Intranasal, Adolescent, Adult, Affect, Analysis of Variance, Attention, Double-Blind Method, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Insulin, Male, Mental Recall, Reference Values, Sex Factors, Verbal Learning

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