How blood sugar affects thinking and memory in people with type 2 diabetes
Glucose Regulation and Cognitive Function in Type 2 Diabetes
This project uses wearable glucose monitors and quick smartphone memory tests to track how blood sugar swings relate to thinking and memory in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11092307 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would wear a continuous glucose monitor for 14 days each year while doing short, sensitive cognitive tests on your smartphone several times a day. The study links real-time blood sugar levels, low glucose episodes, and glucose variability with brief changes in memory and thinking. Participants are followed over five years as part of the Einstein Aging Study so researchers can see whether these patterns predict longer-term cognitive decline. The project places extra focus on including older adults and underserved communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with type 2 diabetes, especially older adults or those concerned about memory, who can wear a glucose monitor and use a smartphone for brief tests are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without type 2 diabetes, those with severe dementia who cannot follow testing, or anyone unable or unwilling to wear a glucose monitor or use a smartphone are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify blood sugar patterns that raise the risk of memory loss and lead to diabetes care strategies that better protect thinking and memory.
How similar studies have performed: Components like continuous glucose monitors and brief smartphone cognitive tests have been validated before, but combining them to predict long-term cognitive decline is a relatively new and innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lipton, Richard B. — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Lipton, Richard B.
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.