A nasal spray restores memory in age-related brain decline
American scientists have developed an experimental nasal spray that reduces neuroinflammation and restores cognitive function in age-related brain changes. In animal studies, the drug demonstrated improved memory and good tolerability. The next step is clinical trials in humans.
Salus
An experimental nasal spray has been developed in the United States to combat age-related changes in the brain. This medication not only reduces neuroinflammation but also helps restore cognitive functions. Unlike traditional methods, the new approach activates memory recovery processes by reprogramming microglial cells, eliminating the need for complex surgical interventions.
Technology Features
The project was developed by specialists at Texas A&M University, with results published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles. Currently, dementia therapies mainly focus on addressing the consequences of diseases, such as removing toxic plaques from neural tissue. However, these methods are often applied too late, when changes have already become irreversible.
As people age, chronic neuroinflammation develops in the deep structures of the brain, becoming a leading cause of cognitive impairment. Additionally, many traditional drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore do not reach the central nervous system.
Mechanism of Action
The new medication uses extracellular vesicles—microscopic biological bubbles derived from healthy human stem cells. These vesicles help reduce inflammatory stress in the brain and restore the cells’ energy balance. Delivered as a nasal spray, the treatment targets the hippocampus, activating restorative processes there while leaving other organs largely unaffected.
Previous attempts to deliver therapeutic agents to deep brain regions were hindered by the body’s natural filters, often requiring risky direct injections into the skull. The new method overcomes these limitations.
Research Results
In animal experiments, the treatment restored cognitive functions, improved spatial memory, and completely suppressed neuroinflammatory foci. The method was successfully tested on both male and female subjects. The studies involved elderly rodents aged 18 months, which is comparable to 50–70 years in humans. Just two doses of the medication ensured good tolerance and restored memory for several months.
Next Steps
The next phase will be preparing for full-scale clinical trials to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of these biological vesicles in humans.