Intranasal insulin as a potential medicine for alcohol use disorder
Official title: Intranasal Insulin Administration as Medication for Alcohol Use Disorder
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11411114 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing a nasal insulin spray to see if it can safely help people with alcohol use disorder feel better and manage cravings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $229,836 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AA031589-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411114 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder who are not currently receiving treatment and able to participate in a controlled laboratory study.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AUD or those unable to participate in a laboratory-based pharmacology study may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study will test whether giving insulin through the nose is safe and tolerable in adults with alcohol use disorder. It uses a within-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled design where participants receive intranasal insulin or placebo on different days, along with mild alcohol exposure in a controlled lab setting. Researchers will look at safety, adverse events, and patient acceptability, as well as potential effects on memory, impulsivity, and brain energy use. The goal is to determine if this approach could be a feasible next step for treatment development in AUD. If safe and acceptable, this work could inform future trials in more diverse patient groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a new, tolerable therapy for reducing AUD symptoms and improving brain function during treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests intranasal insulin can reach the brain with a favorable safety profile, supporting further testing in AUD.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haass-Koffler, Carolina Luisa — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Haass-Koffler, Carolina Luisa
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.