Diabetes, Alzheimer’s risk, and brain health in Latino adults
Official title: Effect of diabetes and AD pathology on brain imaging and cognition in Latino adults
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11402042 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s risk affect brain health and thinking in Latino adults to find ways to protect cognition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,172,782 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG078362-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402042 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with or without type 2 diabetes who are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and who identify as Latino.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without diabetes or Alzheimer’s risk factors may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows 200 Latino adults to see how metabolic health and Alzheimer’s risk relate to brain structure, blood flow, and thinking skills over two years. It will measure brain changes with imaging, blood markers like ptau181, and responses to glucose intake to understand how metabolic risk impacts brain function. The study will look at how these factors predict future cognitive decline and which brain measures best indicate risk. Participants will contribute blood samples, imaging data, and cognitive tests across multiple time points.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide personalized strategies to protect memory and brain health in people with diabetes and those at risk for Alzheimer’s.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked diabetes and brain changes to cognitive decline, with some studies showing clear associations, though this group-focused approach is particularly novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yassine, Hussein N — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Yassine, Hussein N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Intranasal insulin plus exercise to protect brain health in adults with type 2 diabetes
A small study will test whether combining inhaled insulin with aerobic exercise can improve brain blood flow, insulin signaling in the brain, and thinking skills in adults with type 2 diabetes.
-
How diabetes affects the brain and memory in Latino adults
Researchers are comparing brain scans and memory tests before and after a glucose drink in middle-aged Latino adults with and without type 2 diabetes to see how diabetes may affect the brain.
-
Lifelong factors affecting brain health in type 1 diabetes (CLARiFY)
This project follows people who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in childhood into adulthood to find which lifelong health and lifestyle factors link to brain changes and thinking problems.
-
Understanding how type 1 diabetes affects brain health over time
This study is looking at how type 1 diabetes affects brain health and thinking skills over time, from childhood to adulthood, to help find ways to support better brain function for people living with diabetes.
-
How diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease affect brain health in Latino adults
This study is looking at how Type II diabetes might affect brain health and thinking skills in Latino adults, and it aims to find ways to help reduce the risk of memory problems in people with diabetes.
-
HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala
This grant tests how well the HEARTS primary care model works in Guatemala to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients.
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.