A study conducted by scientists confirmed the therapeutic benefits of two drugs in the fight against neurodegeneration. Significant improvements in the manifestations of Alzheimer's disease were observed after a month of use, as reported by Hitech+.
In the study, volunteers were divided into four groups: the first group received only an insulin spray, the second received the drug empagliflozin, the third group took a combination of both drugs, and the fourth served as a control group with a placebo. All participants were elderly individuals with early signs of Alzheimer's disease.
The experiment lasted four weeks, and the main goal was to assess the impact of metabolic modulators on brain function and the dynamics of neurodegeneration. The results were published on the Bioengineer website.
Despite the short duration of the experiment, both drugs demonstrated a therapeutic effect. Intranasal administration of insulin significantly improved the cognitive abilities of participants and contributed to the preservation of white matter structure in the brain. Additionally, a reduced level of the protein GFAP was recorded in the blood, indicating improved function of astrocytes involved in neuroinflammatory processes.
Empagliflozin exhibited a pronounced additional biochemical effect. A decrease in the level of tau protein—a key marker of neurodegeneration—was noted in the cerebrospinal fluid, as well as a decrease in the neurogranin protein associated with vascular damage.
The researchers emphasized that both drugs also possess immunomodulatory properties. "This indicates that they activate protective immune mechanisms while simultaneously suppressing neuroinflammatory processes," the authors noted. Given the high safety of the treatment used, larger clinical trials are planned in the future to gain a deeper understanding of the potential impact on the metabolic and vascular aspects of neurodegeneration, as well as their combination with therapies aimed at combating protein deposits.
Previously, other researchers had already reported that one of the new causes of Alzheimer's disease may be the accumulation of fat cells in immune cells. This study also highlights the complexity and multifactorial nature of neurodegenerative diseases.
