JDRF announces the awarding of a research grant to International Diabetes Center (IDC) in Minneapolis. The two-year $525,000 grant will be used to fund the study of intranasal insulin use by individuals with long-standing T1D who have significantly impaired ability to sense low blood sugar, medically referred to as hypoglycemia unawareness.
"Over time, people with T1D who experience frequent hypoglycemia develop an impaired ability to sense the symptoms and often miss the initial warning signs that can help save them from severe medical episodes," said Marlon Pragnell, Ph.D., JDRF associate director of research. "This study delves into an innovative approach to administering insulin that can potentially be a significant help to the community. The results will help determine whether this method of delivering insulin is safe and effective at helping patients to better recognize and respond when they are hypoglycemic."
Led by IDC Medical Director Anders L. Carlson, M.D., the study will be carried out as a two-phase pilot to determine if administering insulin through the nose directly to the brain via the olfactory nerves can restore or improve cognition of hypoglycemic symptoms. Dr. Carlson and IDC will partner with HealthPartners Institute's Center for Memory & Aging, where researchers are pioneering the use of intranasal drug delivery as a way to directly administer insulin to the brain in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
This IDC study aims to address a significant limitation afflicting the T1D community and will further advance research toward the goal of finding a cure for T1D. This is the first study JDRF is funding for intranasal insulin. The use of intranasal insulin treatments is not intended to replace traditional insulin therapies, nor expected to change blood glucose levels.