Can a nasal spray boost memory? small study tests insulin
NCT ID NCT04199767
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether giving insulin through the nose can help people with mild memory problems. Thirteen participants received either 20 or 40 units of insulin via a nasal device. Researchers measured how much insulin reached the fluid around the brain and checked memory with a word recall test.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- insulin (Humulin R U-100) given as a nasal spray
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple nasal spray to help memory in people with early memory loss.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early study with only 13 participants, so results may not apply widely. Nasal insulin can cause low blood sugar or nose irritation.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States
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