Alzheimer's and related dementia risk in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: The Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study AD/ADRD Project
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.
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 ID | NIH-11367296 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will work with people from the long-running Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study, most of whom are age 65 and older. You would have memory tests, blood tests for glucose, insulin, and Alzheimer’s markers, brain imaging, and detailed records of medications such as metformin, physical activity, and measures of frailty. The team will combine these tests to see which factors — including blood sugar control, medications, vascular changes, and physical function — relate to cognitive decline. Some projects will also link clinical measures to brain pathology and other dementia markers to better understand underlying causes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults (most participants are 65+) with a history of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, especially those already enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study.
Not a fit: People without prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, much younger adults, or those whose memory problems are due to other known causes may not see direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or slow dementia in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes by identifying modifiable risk factors and treatment targets.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked diabetes to higher dementia risk and used imaging and biomarkers, but combining deep diabetes phenotyping, medication effects like metformin, and AD pathology across a large older cohort is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luchsinger, Jose Alejandro — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Luchsinger, Jose Alejandro
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 below.