Intranasal insulin plus exercise to protect brain health in adults with type 2 diabetes
Official title: Effects of intranasal insulin plus exercise training on brain blood flow, neuronal insulin signaling and cognition in adults with type 2 diabetes
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11358832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will test whether combining inhaled insulin with aerobic exercise can improve brain blood flow, insulin signaling in the brain, and thinking skills in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $314,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK147509-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 55-80 with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience cognitive or brain blood flow improvements despite the intervention.
What this research studies
This pilot randomized trial will enroll adults aged 55-80 with type 2 diabetes to receive either aerobic exercise with intranasal insulin or aerobic exercise with a placebo. Researchers will measure brain blood vessel function, brain insulin signaling, peripheral blood flow, glucose metabolism, and cognitive performance over the course of the study. The goal is to see if the combination therapy offers benefits beyond exercise alone and to gain insight into mechanisms linking diabetes, brain health, and cognition. The study builds on prior work and aims to identify potential therapeutic targets for reducing dementia risk in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve brain health and cognitive function for people with type 2 diabetes and reduce dementia risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show benefits of intranasal insulin or aerobic exercise on cognition, but the combination is novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malin, Steven K — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Malin, Steven K
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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.