Using blood-based markers to understand cognitive decline in diabetes patients
Official title: Plasma-Based Neuronal Insulin Signaling Exosomes as a Biomarker for Cognitive Impairment in Diabetes
Funded at Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute · NIH-10810540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how diabetes might affect brain insulin signaling and memory in older adults, using tiny particles from blood to help find early signs of cognitive decline and ways to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $212,816 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG081689-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with diabetes who may be at risk for cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who do not exhibit any cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how insulin signaling in the brain is affected by diabetes and its potential link to cognitive impairment, particularly in older adults. The study focuses on analyzing plasma-derived exosomes, which are small vesicles that can carry important biological information, to assess neuronal insulin signaling. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to identify early indicators of cognitive decline in diabetic patients and explore potential strategies for prevention. Participants will undergo assessments to evaluate their cognitive function and the state of their insulin signaling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early detection methods for cognitive decline in diabetic patients and inform strategies to prevent or mitigate this decline.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using plasma-based exosomes to study neuronal insulin signaling is relatively novel, there is existing research indicating a connection between diabetes and cognitive decline that supports the need for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sabayan, Behnam — Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Sabayan, Behnam
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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.