A Blood Test to Understand Memory Changes in Diabetes

Plasma-Based Neuronal Insulin Signaling Exosomes as a Biomarker for Cognitive Impairment in Diabetes

['FUNDING_R21'] · HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE RESEARCH INSTITUTE · NIH-11175378

This project explores how a blood test might help us understand and predict memory changes in older adults living with diabetes.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R21']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorHENNEPIN HEALTHCARE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11175378 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Many older adults with diabetes experience memory and thinking problems, and we want to understand why this happens. We believe that how the brain uses insulin, called neuronal insulin signaling, plays a crucial role in brain health and memory. This project will examine tiny particles in your blood, called exosomes, which carry important information about your brain's insulin signaling. By studying these signals, we hope to discover if changes in brain insulin use can predict future memory decline in people with diabetes, potentially leading to new ways to protect brain function.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for future related studies would be older adults living with diabetes who are experiencing or are at risk for cognitive impairment.

Not a fit: Patients without diabetes or those not experiencing cognitive concerns related to diabetes may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new blood test that helps identify individuals with diabetes at risk for memory decline, allowing for earlier intervention.

How similar studies have performed: This approach explores a promising but understudied mechanism linking diabetes and cognitive decline, suggesting it is a novel area of focus.

Where this research is happening

MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.