Scientists at a prestigious medical research institution have reported progress on a nasal spray designed to combat Alzheimer’s disease. The announcement, relayed by research tracking sources, notes that the drug reduced brain inflammation and improved cognitive function in preliminary tests, independent of the levels of beta-amyloid plaques typically associated with neuron loss.
In the study, delivering the treatment through the nose increased the presence of regulatory T cells in the body, which then migrated into the brain and helped calm neuroinflammation. Throughout the trial, the treatment showed improvements in cognitive performance in both male and female mice, with female subjects also displaying gains in short term memory.
Additional work explored whether the active components in the spray altered gene expression in two critical brain regions involved in dementia, the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The outcome was favorable, suggesting that these regions respond positively to the therapy. Plans are in place to advance to human clinical trials to evaluate safety and efficacy in people.
Separately, researchers at another leading university have identified a genetic variant linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The PLCG2 gene mutation appears to influence how immune cells operate within the brain, reinforcing the concept that immune mechanisms play a key role in dementia.
Earlier investigations have also referred to this product as a potential aid in the fight against dementia, underscoring a growing interest in immune-based strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.