How diabetes changes and Alzheimer's proteins block insulin delivery to the brain
Amyloid beta peptides and type-2 diabetes sequelae synergistically inhibit insulin signaling and trafficking at the blood brain barrier
This project looks at how type 2 diabetes changes and Alzheimer's-related proteins together reduce insulin getting into the brain, which could matter for people with diabetes or Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team will use lab-grown blood-brain barrier cells and mouse models that mimic Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes to watch how insulin moves and signals in brain blood vessels. They will expose these models to soluble amyloid beta peptides and diabetes-related damage and measure insulin levels, receptor signaling, and intracellular trafficking. The researchers plan to map the cellular and molecular steps by which these two factors combine to reduce insulin delivery to the brain. The goal is to find mechanisms that could point to new ways to protect brain insulin action and slow cognitive decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Findings would be most relevant to people with type 2 diabetes, people with Alzheimer's disease, or those who have both conditions.
Not a fit: People without diabetes or Alzheimer's and anyone seeking an immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab- and animal-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets to restore insulin delivery to the brain and help develop treatments to protect thinking and memory in people with diabetes and Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked diabetes and amyloid beta to brain insulin resistance, but this project applies a more detailed, mechanistic look at how they interact at the blood-brain barrier.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kandimalla, Karunya Kumar — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Kandimalla, Karunya Kumar
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.