Alzheimer’s and dementia risk in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
Official title: Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: The Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study AD/ADRD Project
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11585476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to understand why some older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes develop memory problems or dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $250,000 |
| NIH project number | 3U19AG078558-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11585476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (mostly 65+) with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who are part of the DPPOS cohort and have detailed cognitive and health data.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without prediabetes or type 2 diabetes or those not in the DPPOS cohort are unlikely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
A team at Columbia will combine data from the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study with advanced brain and metabolic measurements to explore how blood sugar-related factors, brain changes, and physical health relate to cognitive decline in people 65 and older. The project includes four interrelated parts that look at neuropathology, glucose control, medications, and lifestyle factors like activity and frailty. By studying participants who already have long-term diabetes risk and aging, researchers hope to map out which factors are most linked to memory and thinking problems. This work could pave the way for targeted strategies to protect cognition in people with prediabetes or diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to earlier identification of people at risk and inform interventions to preserve thinking skills in older adults with prediabetes or diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show links between diabetes, aging, and cognitive decline, but this project adds comprehensive biomarkers and longitudinal data to clarify mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luchsinger, Jose Alejandro — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Luchsinger, Jose Alejandro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Alzheimer’s and related dementia in older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
This grant aims to understand why cognitive problems occur in people 65 and older who have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, using data from a long-running diabetes study to identify what drives memory and thinking decline.
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Alzheimer's and related dementia risk in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
This project looks at brain changes, memory, medications, and health measures in older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes to find what leads to dementia.
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Investigating cognitive impairment in older adults with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
This study is looking at how prediabetes and type 2 diabetes might impact thinking and memory in older adults, and it aims to find ways to help prevent these issues by understanding different health factors and habits.
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Investigating cognitive impairment in older adults with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
This study is looking at how prediabetes and type 2 diabetes might impact thinking and memory in older adults, especially those at risk for Alzheimer's and similar conditions, to find ways to help prevent or treat cognitive decline.
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ONWARD: Helping teens and young adults with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes get the resources they need
A study tests easy, in-clinic and post-visit resource help for teens and young adults with type 2 diabetes to address social needs that affect their health.
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Smartphone and smartwatch screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
This project uses data from smartphones and smartwatches to spot early signs of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults who have no symptoms.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.