Study of Nasal Insulin to Fight Forgetfulness - Long-acting Insulin Detemir - 21 Days (SNIFF-LONG 21)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01547169 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : March 7, 2012
Last Update Posted : December 18, 2012
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer's Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment | Drug: Placebo Comparator Drug: insulin detemir | Phase 2 |
It is well-known that insulin, a hormone that is naturally secreted by the pancreas, plays an important physiological role by regulating blood sugar levels in the body. The investigators now know that insulin plays many important roles in the brain as well. Insulin seems to be especially active in the part of the brain that corresponds to learning and memory. Studies have shown that when people have insufficient insulin in the brain (which, for example, is the case with Type-II diabetes), they are increasingly at risk to develop memory problems and Alzheimer's disease. In a past study, the investigators administered intravenous insulin to participants and found that it improves their memory. However, that particular method would not be a practical intervention for people with Alzheimer's disease due to the risk of hypoglycemia or exacerbation of insulin resistance. Instead, the investigators use an "intranasal" method of administration, in which the insulin is inserted into a device, and administered intranasally. In this method, the insulin travels directly to the brain, and bypasses the body. Our past studies have also demonstrated that this can be a reliable way to improve memory, and it does not change the body's blood glucose levels.
In our past studies, the investigators have used regular insulin, which lasts about 3-4 hours and creates a similar "spike" in insulin that one would have after eating a meal. However, in normal physiology, the pancreas also releases small and more constant "pulses" of insulin throughout the day and night, establishing a base level of insulin. Accordingly, several longer-lasting types of insulin are now available that last closer to 10-12 hours, mimicking that base level of insulin. The current study uses a long-lasting type of insulin called "insulin detemir," to determine if learning and memory will benefit from a more constant supplement of insulin. the investigators want to determine whether this treatment can benefit people who already have a memory impairment-either they already have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, a condition that precedes Alzheimer's disease, and whether a lower or higher dose of insulin detemir is more effective. The investigators will examine cognition, daily function, and different markers of Alzheimer's disease that are in the blood as outcome measures.
The investigators have these specific aims:
- The investigators will test the hypothesis that compared to placebo, three weeks of treatment with intranasal insulin detemir will improve cognition and function in adults with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
- The investigators will determine which of two doses of intranasal insulin detemir produces the greatest improvement in cognition and daily function relative to placebo for adults with AD or MCI.
To examine these hypotheses, the investigators are recruiting approximately 60 participants who have been diagnosed with AD or MCI. They will be randomly selected to take a lower dose of insulin detemir, a higher dose of insulin detemir, or saline (which is an inactive substance and will serve as a placebo). Cognition and the level of daily function will be tested before they begin the study drug, and after 3 weeks of the study drug. The investigators will also measure glucose tolerance and take blood samples to measure markers of AD in the blood.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 60 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Study of Nasal Insulin to Fight Forgetfulness - Long-acting Insulin Detemir - 21 Days |
Study Start Date : | March 2011 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | December 2012 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | December 2012 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Placebo Comparator: Saline |
Drug: Placebo Comparator
saline, taken twice per day for a 3 week duration |
Experimental: Low Dose Insulin Detemir (10IU bid) |
Drug: insulin detemir
10IU of insulin detemir, administered intranasally twice per day for a 3 week duration
Other Name: Levemir |
Experimental: High Dose Insulin Detemir (20IU bid) |
Drug: insulin detemir
20IU insulin detemir, administered intranasally twice per day for a 3 week duration
Other Name: Levemir |
- Verbal Memory Composite [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Verbal Memory at 3 Weeks ]The composite will consist of the weighted sum of Immediate + Delayed Story Recall and Immediate +Delayed List Recall
- Neuropsychological Test of Executive Function 1 [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Executive Functioning at 3 Weeks ]Computerized Dot Counting Test (test of executive functioning)
- Glucose Tolerance [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Glucose Tolerance at 3 Weeks ]Subjects will undergo oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to assess glucose tolerance
- Functional Ability [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Functional Ability at 3 Weeks ]Subjects will have a collateral informant (i.e., spouse or friend) rate the subjects' ability to carry out activities of daily living on the Dementia Severity Rating Scale.
- Plasma biomarkers of AD [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Plasma Biomarkers at 3 Weeks ]Plasma Abeta (ABeta 38, ABeta 40, and Abeta 42) and Tau (total tau and phosphorylated tau) will be measured in each subject.
- Neuropsychological Test of Executive Functioning 2 [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Executive Functioning at 3 Weeks ]Computerized Stroop Test
- Neuropsychological Tests of Visual Working Memory [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Visual Working Memory at 3 Weeks ]Benton Visual Retention Test Form F&G (a test of visual working memory)

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 50 Years to 89 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 50-89
- Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, or mild/moderate AD
Exclusion Criteria:
- Excessively high or low blood pressure, heart rate
- BMI greater than 34
- Pre-existing diabetes not controlled by exercise
- Previous/current use of insulin
- Significant elevations in lipids, liver enzymes
- Menstrual period within the last 12 months
- Significant neurological or medical disorder (other than AD)
- Significant use of nasal decongestants
- Current use of anti-psychotic, anti-convulsive, anxiolytic, glucocorticoids, or sedative medications

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01547169
United States, Washington | |
VA Puget Sound Health Care System | |
Seattle, Washington, United States, 98108 |
Principal Investigator: | Suzanne Craft, PhD | VA Puget Sound Health Care System; University of Washington School of Medicine |
Responsible Party: | Suzanne Craft, Professor, University of Washington |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01547169 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
39683-A 2P50AG005136-27 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | March 7, 2012 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | December 18, 2012 |
Last Verified: | December 2012 |
memory intranasal insulin Alzheimer's disease |
Alzheimer Disease Cognitive Dysfunction Dementia Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Tauopathies Neurodegenerative Diseases |
Neurocognitive Disorders Mental Disorders Cognition Disorders Insulin Insulin, Globin Zinc Insulin Detemir Hypoglycemic Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs |