The Effect of Intranasal Insulin on Neurocognitive Function in Euthymic Patients With Bipolar Disorder
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2009-03-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
It is hypothesized that the intranasal administration of insulin will enhance
hippocampal-dependent neurocognitive performance in euthymic patients with bipolar I or II
disorder. This novel initiative represents a proof-of-concept study that insulin is salient
to neurocognitive functioning and deficits in bipolar disorder and represents a novel and
safe therapeutic avenue. The available literature suggests that the acute administration of
intranasal insulin enhances cognition in memory impaired older adults with either Alzheimer's
disease or minimal cognitive impairment. Prior research demonstrates a cognitive enhancing
effect of insulin within one hour of the first intranasal insulin dose. Other studies suggest
that the long-term administration of intranasal insulin (i.e. over eight weeks) in enhances
memory performance in human volunteers. We aim to evaluate the acute and long-term effects of
intranasal insulin administration in persons with bipolar disorder. As such we will be
conducting the neuropsychological testing at three time points, the week before receiving
insulin, within one hour of the first dose and after 8 weeks of insulin administration.