Combination therapy for cognitive impairment and metabolic syndrome

Combination of Intranasal Insulin With Oral Semaglutide to Improve Cognition and Cerebral Blood Flow: a Feasibility Study

Phase 2 Interventional Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · NCT06072963

This study is testing a new treatment using a nasal insulin spray and a diabetes medication to see if it can help older adults with mild cognitive impairment and metabolic syndrome improve their thinking and overall health.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages60 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorRutgers, The State University of New Jersey Academic / other
Locations1 site (Ramat Gan)
Trial IDNCT06072963 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial tests the efficacy of a combination therapy using intranasal insulin and semaglutide in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The study aims to evaluate the ease of use, adherence, and safety of this treatment while comparing its effects on cognitive function, cerebral blood flow, glucose uptake, and relevant blood biomarkers. Participants will be monitored for various cognitive and biological outcomes to identify potential mechanisms of action. The findings will inform the design of larger trials in the future.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Metabolic Syndrome who are fluent in Hebrew and have an active study partner.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes, dementia, or those taking medications affecting glucose metabolism may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this combination therapy could improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia in patients with MCI and MetS.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of intranasal insulin and semaglutide is a novel approach, previous studies have shown promise in using these treatments separately for cognitive impairment.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of MCI (based on a MOCA \<27 and a clinical dementia rating scale \[CDR\] score of 0.5 representing questionable dementia).
* Diagnosis of MetS -requiring a) abdominal obesity (waist circumference \>102cm for men and \>88cm for women), and b) glucose intolerance (fasting glucose\>110 mg/dL) and at least one of the following-c) dyslipidemia (high triglycerides \[\>150 mg/dL\] and low HDL \[\<40mg/dL for men and \<50 mg/dL for women\]), or d) elevated blood pressure (\>130/\>85 mmHg).
* Fluent in Hebrew
* The study requires an active study partner

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diabetes (of any type)
* Taking medications that may affect glucose metabolism (including a GLP-1RA).
* Diagnosis of dementia and its subtypes, conditions that may directly affect cognition,
* short life expectancy or a medical condition that precludes consistent participation in the study,
* contraindications to either insulin or Semaglutide.
* Medications that may affect glucose metabolism such as corticosteroids.

Where this trial is running

Ramat Gan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Alzheimer DiseaseMild Cognitive ImpairmentMetabolic SyndromeAlzheimer diseaseMetabolic syndromeDementiaSemaglutideIntranasal insulin
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.