Cited by 78Diabetes Management and ResearchRegulation of Appetite and ObesityPancreatic function and diabetes

Dose-Dependent Effects of Intranasal Insulin on Resting-State Brain Activity

Open access
Kullmann, Stephanie, Veit, Ralf, Peter, Andreas, Pohmann, Rolf, Scheffler, Klaus, Häring, Hans-Ulrich, Fritsche, Andreas, Preissl, Hubert +1 more·2018·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

Abstract

Context: Insulin action in the human brain influences eating behavior, cognition, and whole-body metabolism. Studies investigating brain insulin rely on intranasal application. Objective: To investigate effects of three doses of insulin and placebo as nasal sprays on the central and autonomous nervous system and analyze absorption of insulin into the bloodstream. Design, Participants, and Methods: Nine healthy men received placebo or 40 U, 80 U, and 160 U insulin spray in randomized order. Before and after spray, brain activity was assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging, and heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed from electrocardiogram. Plasma insulin, C-peptide, and glucose were measured regularly. Setting: General community. Results: Nasal insulin administration dose-dependently modulated regional brain activity and the normalized high-frequency component of the HRV. Post hoc analyses revealed that only 160 U insulin showed a considerable difference from placebo. Dose-dependent spillover of nasal insulin into the bloodstream was detected. The brain response was not correlated with this temporary rise in circulating insulin. Conclusions: Nasal insulin dose-dependently modulated regional brain activity with the strongest effects after 160 U. However, this dose was accompanied by a transient increase in circulating insulin concentrations due to a spillover into circulation. Our current results may serve as a basis for future studies with nasal insulin to untangle brain insulin effects in health and disease.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1210/jc.2017-01976

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39 of 39 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • In previous placebo-controlled assessments, the placebo nasal spray did not impact hypothalamic blood flow.

    “However, in our previous placebo-controlled assessments6,8,39 (see Supplementary Material 2 for more details), the placebo nasal spray did not impact hypothalamic blood flow.”
  • Using nasal delivery, only a tiny fraction of insulin reaches the bloodstream.

    “while only a tiny fraction reaches the bloodstream6”
  • The used dose of 160 U resulted in substantial effects on brain activity, comparable to oral glucose ingestion, and has been widely used in previous trials on acute brain effects of insulin.

    “Despite the lack of data on the exact amount of insulin reaching the brain, previous trials found that the used dose of 160 U resulted in substantial effects on brain activity6,7, comparable to oral glucose ingestion, and this dose has been widely used in previous trials on acute brain effects of insulin38.”

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Authors
Kullmann, S., Veit, R., Peter, A., Pohmann, R., Scheffler, K., Häring, H.-U., Fritsche, A., Preissl, H., & Heni, M.
Affiliations
  • German Center for Diabetes Research (DE)
  • Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (DE)
  • Helmholtz Munich (DE)
Corresponding author
Heni, Martin
Venue
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Published
2017-10-31
Volume
103
Issue
1
Pages
253-262
ISSN
  • 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7197
OpenAlex
W2766902973
Cited by
78
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3
FWCI
4.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Licence
other-oa
Locations
  • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion)
  • Site cant be reached (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
  • PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Pancreatic function and diabetes
Keywords
intranasal insulin, brain insulin, resting-state brain activity, dose-dependent effects, heart rate variability, plasma insulin, C-peptide, glucose, functional MRI, healthy men
MeSH terms
Administration, Intranasal, Adult, Blood Glucose, Brain, Cognition, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Follow-Up Studies, Heart Rate, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Insulin, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Prognosis, Young Adult, Nasal Sprays

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