Research
The Nose, Revisited – From a Possible Entry Point for Alzheimer's to a Pathway for Treatment
Article no. 47 · September 25, 2026 · Updated October 8, 2026 ·
In my 24th article, "Does Alzheimer’s Start in the Nose? A New Theory About the Disease," I wrote about a fascinating hypothesis: that the nose and the olfactory system might play a role very early in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Now, the nose is appearing in Alzheimer's research again – but this time, from the opposite perspective. If the nose can be a pathway into the brain, perhaps it can also become a pathway for treatment.
A Nasal Spray Against Amyloid
An interesting example is an experimental treatment called polyDisc. These are very small, HDL-like nanoparticles administered through the nose, designed to reach the brain and bind to amyloid-beta.
In trials on mice with Alzheimer's, researchers reported a 97.3 percent reduction in the amyloid load in the brain and a 73.5 percent reduction of amyloid in the brain's blood vessels. The mice's memory function also improved.
What’s more, the researchers observed something particularly interesting: amyloid could be transported from the brain to the bloodstream and then on to the liver, where the body can process and dispose of it.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38085773/
The Brain’s Own Cleaning System
This is where the research on the nose meets another exciting field: the glymphatic system.
In simple terms, it can be described as part of the brain's cleaning system. Fluid circulates through the brain tissue, helping to clear away waste products, including proteins like amyloid and tau.
Researchers are therefore investigating whether Alzheimer's can be treated not just by reducing the production of harmful proteins, but also by improving the brain's ability to transport them away.
Intranasal treatment – delivering medication through the nose – is one of the methods being explored.
The Same Door – Two Directions?
