Scientists are testing a nasal spray that may help prevent or repair Alzheimer’s damage

A nasal spray treatment for Alzheimer’s being developed in Melbourne, Australia, is giving families new hope as scientists work toward slowing, stopping, or even reversing the brain damage caused by the disease.

While still in early development, this new Alzheimer’s treatment breakthrough is drawing attention around the world because it aims to reach the brain directly, where Alzheimer’s begins.

For millions of families, the research offers a powerful sense of hope that science may one day help cure Alzheimer’s.

What Alzheimer’s disease does to the brain

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, according to Mayo Clinic. It is not a sudden illness.

Instead, it starts quietly inside the brain many years before symptoms appear. Small proteins begin to accumulate in harmful ways, gradually damaging brain cells that control memory and thought.

Two main protein problems drive the disease. The first are amyloid plaques. These are sticky clumps that form between brain cells and block messages from passing through.

The second are neurofibrillary tangles. These form when a protein called tau twists inside brain cells and damages their internal structure.

As explained by Mayo Clinic, the spread of plaques and tangles causes brain cells to die over time.

The brain then begins to shrink. This damage cannot be reversed and continues to worsen.

Today, about 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease.

Worldwide, more than 55 million people have dementia, and an estimated 60% to 70% of those cases are Alzheimer’s.

Why the nasal spray treatment for Alzheimer’s is different

The nasal spray treatment for Alzheimer’s stands apart from most existing medicines because of how it reaches the brain, Today noted.

Traditional drugs must travel through the bloodstream, where much of the medicine never reaches its target.

This spray is designed to bypass the body’s natural barriers and directly enter the brain, helping it to move from the nose.

This new Alzheimer’s treatment breakthrough uses special immune cells known as natural killer cells.

These cells normally help the body fight disease. In this treatment, researchers are testing whether a part of these cells can help clear harmful proteins from the brain.

Medical expert Dr. Nick Coatsworth has emphasized that the research is still in its very early stages.

He said, “I think we’ve just got to be careful how we describe the stage of this treatment because this is very much at the beginning stage and basically it’s based around what’s called natural killer cells, they’re immune cells and you deliver a component of that through a nasal spray.”

How the nasal spray treatment for Alzheimer’s works in the brain

Once the spray reaches the brain, researchers hope it can begin cleaning up the toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

The goal is to remove amyloid buildup before it causes widespread damage to brain cells.

Coatsworth explained how the treatment is expected to work, saying, “It gets into the brain and it starts mopping up some of the amyloid proteins that we think are responsible for Alzheimer’s disease – so I think the idea itself is very promising.”

Scientists believe that by targeting amyloid early, the treatment could help protect brain cells and slow the progression of memory loss.

While it is still too soon to know how effective the spray will be, the approach represents a fresh perspective on Alzheimer’s care.

Can this new Alzheimer’s treatment breakthrough help cure Alzheimer’s?

Right now, there is no known way to cure Alzheimer’s. In the advanced stages of the disease, people can lose the ability to eat, drink, or fight infections, which can lead to death.

Current treatments mainly aim to manage symptoms or slow mental decline.

According to a study, monoclonal antibody drugs such as lecanemab and donanemab can remove amyloid plaques from the brain.

However, these treatments are expensive and may cause serious side effects. That is why researchers continue searching for safer and more effective options.

The nasal spray treatment for Alzheimer’s could become part of that future, but safety testing must come first.

Coatsworth emphasized the importance of careful study, saying, “The safety studies need to be done because nobody’s used the natural killer immune cell in this sort of way before, once that’s been proven, then I think there’s probably going to be a lot of excitement with the potential for human trials,” he said.

Why timing matters for families facing Alzheimer’s

The need for better treatments is growing fast. Experts estimate that nearly 152.8 million people worldwide could be living with dementia by 2050.

Alzheimer’s disease often begins damaging the brain up to 10 years before symptoms become noticeable.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the disease often starts in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory.

Early signs include forgetting recent conversations or events. Over time, everyday tasks such as cooking, dressing, or managing finances can become increasingly difficult.

Coatsworth has said that if the nasal spray approach succeeds, it could be life-changing for families who wake up each day watching a loved one slowly fade away.

What people can do while science moves forward

As researchers in Melbourne continue working on this new Alzheimer’s treatment breakthrough, doctors say there are steps people can take to support brain health.

While age and genetics cannot be changed, lifestyle choices still matter.

Health experts recommend eating nutritious foods, such as those in the Mediterranean diet.

Regular movement, including walking or gardening, helps bring oxygen to the brain. Keeping the mind active through reading, puzzles, or music can also help.

Staying socially connected with friends and family also supports mental health.

Looking ahead with hope as the nasal spray treatment for Alzheimer’s moves closer to trials

Researchers hope the nasal spray will be ready for human trials within the next 18 to 24 months.

While it remains too early to say whether it will help cure Alzheimer’s, the research is already offering something powerful: hope.

For families affected by Alzheimer’s, the nasal spray treatment for Alzheimer’s represents a reminder that science is still pushing forward, searching for answers, and working toward a future where memory loss no longer defines aging.

Watch 9 News Australia’s interview with Dr. Nick Coatsworth to learn more about the nasal spray treatment for Alzheimer’s and why experts believe it could change the future of care.