Understanding cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s changes in people with long‑duration type 1 diabetes
Official title: Evaluating clinical and pathological markers of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's dementia in long-duration type 1 diabetes.
Funded at Joslin Diabetes Center · NIH-11411470 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study in adults with type 1 diabetes investigates why some people experience memory and thinking difficulties and brain changes typical of Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Joslin Diabetes Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $629,622 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG096437-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411470 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with long-duration type 1 diabetes (e.g., ≥50 years) who are part of the Medalists cohort or similar long-standing T1D populations.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without long-term type 1 diabetes or without cognitive concerns may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This study uses the Joslin Medalist cohort, people with 50+ years of type 1 diabetes, to document cognitive function and brain pathology over time. Researchers will collect clinical data, imaging (like brain scans and retinal imaging), and post-mortem findings to identify markers linked to cognitive decline in long‑duration T1D. The goal is to uncover biological pathways that could lead to prevention or new treatments for dementia in this population. The project builds on previous observations that cognitive performance and brain structure differ from non-diabetic individuals and may relate to distinct retinal and vascular changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform early detection and targeted prevention strategies for dementia in people with long‑duration type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest associations between cognitive impairment and specific brain and retinal changes in long‑duration T1D, supporting further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Hetal S. — Joslin Diabetes Center
- Study coordinator: Shah, Hetal S.
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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.