Author: Dick Benson

Sleep complaints may be an important Alzheimer’s disease risk factor in older women with a higher genetic predisposition to the disease, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California San Diego. The findings suggest that women with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s who reported poorer sleep also showed greater memory difficulties and more Alzheimer’s-related brain changes.

Researchers examined 69 women aged 65 years and older participating in the Women Inflammation Tau Study, an ongoing project focused on aging and Alzheimer’s disease risk. Participants completed questionnaires about their sleep quality, underwent memory testing and received brain scans that measured tau, a protein that accumulates abnormally in Alzheimer’s disease.

The study found that poorer self-reported sleep was associated with worse visual memory performance and greater tau accumulation in brain regions affected early in Alzheimer’s disease — but only among women with higher genetic risk. Women with lower genetic risk did not show the same relationship between sleep complaints, memory and tau buildup. The finding was specific to visual memory and was not observed for verbal memory.

Researchers say the results add to growing evidence that sleep disturbances and Alzheimer’s disease may reinforce one another over time. Previous studies have suggested that disrupted sleep can contribute to the buildup of abnormal tau proteins, while Alzheimer’s-related brain changes may also interfere with healthy sleep patterns. Because women account for nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s cases and frequently report poorer sleep quality than men, the researchers say sleep may represent an important and potentially modifiable risk factor in older women.

The authors note that self-reported sleep assessments are inexpensive and easy to administer, raising the possibility that sleep complaints could help identify people who may benefit from closer monitoring or early intervention. They also suggest that improving sleep could become a target for future Alzheimer’s prevention strategies, particularly for women at elevated genetic risk. Overall, it might be important to take sleep complaints seriously for older women as it may be relevant to their brain health.

The study (Sleep complaints and genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older women: associations with memory and tau deposition), led by Kitty Lui, a UC San Diego/San Diego State University joint doctoral student in clinical psychology and Sarah Banks, PhD, associate professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine, published on May 6, 2026 in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.

What if your eyes could use light to heal themselves? Drawing inspiration from how plants harness sunlight, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) are pioneering a revolutionary treatment for dry eye disease. Their approach uses a light-activated technology derived from the photosynthetic membranes of the spinach plant, enabling the eye to stay continuously hydrated. This offers a solution that is simple, effective and non-invasive.

Dry eye disease, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is one of the most common eye conditions, affecting more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. Far more than a minor discomfort, the disease causes corneal scarring, chronic pain, blurred vision and sensitivity to light. Various studies have linked it to depression, anxiety and reduced workplace productivity, as well as an economic burden estimated at US$3.84 billion annually in the United States alone. Current treatments such as cyclosporine A (Restasis®) and lifitegrast (Xiidra®) target inflammation through specific molecular pathways, but their high costs and adverse side effects limit long-term use.

At the cellular level, the disease is driven by a vicious cycle. Inflammation in the corneal region generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), chemically aggressive molecules that damage cells. Healthy eyes can neutralise ROS through antioxidant production that is driven by Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (reduced form) (NADPH). But in inflamed eyes, ROS levels overwhelm the cornea’s natural defences, resulting in the generation of even more ROS – a death spiral.

A team led by Associate Professor David Leong Tai Wei from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS has developed a fundamentally different approach by transplanting functional plant-derived photosynthetic machinery into corneal cells, enabling them to harvest ambient light and produce NADPH independently from the cells’ own NADPH production pathways. In preclinical studies, the technology, delivered as simple eye drops at doses so low that it does not interfere with colour perception, reversed corneal damage to near-healthy levels within five days, outperforming Restasis®.

The study was published online in the scientific journal Cell on 15 May 2026.

An eye-opening biological crossover

Evolutionarily, plants and animals have taken divergent paths such that animals, with one exception, are not able to photosynthesise. This exception is the sacoglossan sea slug, which ingests and stores away the chloroplasts (organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells) of microalgae within its intestinal cells. When starved, these sea slugs can live off the nutrients made through photosynthesis — the only known case of an animal being able to photosynthesise just like a plant. This unusual animal trait raised an intriguing question: could mammals also acquire some limited form of photosynthesis?

To test out their ideas, the NUS researchers chose the eye as it is one of the few organs in the human body that absorbs visible light — just like plant leaves. They engineered LEAF (Light-reaction Enriched thylAkoid NADPH-Foundry), a nanosized, structurally preserved version of the thylakoid grana — the tightly stacked membrane compartments inside the chloroplasts of plant cells where light energy is harnessed and converted to NADPH molecules. During photosynthesis, the NADPH molecules are subsequently used to produce glucose, providing energy and food for the plant.

The team’s core innovation was to strip away the part of the chloroplasts that consumes NADPH while keeping the thylakoids, where the light-reactions machinery of photosynthesis is, intact. This resulted in a nanosized package that acts as a dedicated NADPH factory capable of producing about 20 per cent more NADPH compared to unpackaged thylakoids. Prepared from the familiar spinach leaves using a patented, mild mechanical and chemical extraction method developed by the NUS team, the particles are roughly 400 nanometres across — small enough to be readily absorbed by cells. LEAF, when in the cells, then produces photosynthetic NADPH upon exposure to ambient light sources, and the NADPH produced tackles dry eye disease via two pathways – inside and outside the cell.

“This is an exciting finding as we have, for the first time, demonstrated that plant photosynthetic machinery can be transplanted into mammalian tissue to generate biologically useful molecules, powered entirely by the same light that enables our vision. We, too, can have limited photosynthetic abilities.” said Dr Xing Kuoran, the first author of the work.

Tested in living tissue

In laboratory tests on inflamed cells, LEAF restored NADPH levels within 30 minutes of light exposure, suppressed ROS and pivoted immune cells in the cornea from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state. When tested directly in tear samples collected from patients with dry eye disease, LEAF increased NADPH levels roughly 20-fold and reduced hydrogen peroxide, a key cell-damaging oxidant, by more than 95 per cent.

In their first preclinical trial in collaboration with ophthalmologists from Eye Centre of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, LEAF administered as eye drops under ambient indoor lighting reversed corneal damage to near-healthy levels within five days, outperforming Restasis®. A second preclinical trial also confirmed the therapeutic effect. Safety assessments, including skin sensitisation, eye irritation and organ toxicity studies conducted over two months showed no adverse effects. The team plans to conduct clinical trials to further validate the technology.

More than meets the eye

“With LEAF, we now have a technology that harnesses ambient light to directly restore the molecule that dry eye disease depletes,” added Assoc Prof Leong. “As it is derived from spinach, delivered as a simple eye drop, requires no external device or power source and using the ambient light that is used for vision, we believe it has a strong potential for clinical translation. It is almost surreal when thinking of a possible future reality where human cells can have some limited but beneficial form of photosynthetic ability not only in the eye but elsewhere, too.”

In addition, as oxidative stress underpins a wide range of inflammatory conditions beyond dry eye disease, the team also sees potential for LEAF-based approaches wherever the body’s antioxidant defences are overwhelmed, particularly in tissues naturally accessible to visible light such as the retina, skin and underlying skeletal muscles. They are also developing new strategies that can produce therapeutically useful photosynthesised molecules in internal organs without the need for visible light penetration.

Read more: https://news.nus.edu.sg/eyes-that-photosynthesise

SOURCE National University of Singapore

American Botanical Council (ABC) presented Natural Remedies with the prestigious 2026 ABC Varro E. Tyler Commercial Investment in Phytomedicinal Research Award during the Botanical Excellence Awards ceremony on March 3 at Natural Products Expo West. Suresh Lakshmikanthan, Ph.D., chief business officer at Natural Remedies, accepted the award, which recognizes the company’s sustained commitment to clinical research across multiple medicinal plants.

“What stands out about Natural Remedies is the depth and consistency of its investment in human clinical research,” said Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council. “The company has taken a long-term view, applying rigorous scientific methods to botanicals with global relevance and helping advance a more credible and evidence-based foundation for various traditionally-used herbal medicines.”

Natural Remedies’ sustained investment in clinical research encompasses multiple botanicals with traditional use and emerging clinical evidence. The company has consistently applied rigorous study designs to explore how plants such as holy basil, turmeric, bacopa, andrographis and licorice can influence human health, bridging traditional knowledge with modern science.

“We are deeply honored to receive this award from the American Botanical Council,” said Anurag Agarwal, managing director, Natural Remedies. “This recognition reflects our steadfast commitment to scientific integrity, rigorous research, and advancing evidence-based botanicals globally. We are grateful to the American Botanical Council for upholding the highest standards of excellence in the herbal industry.”

Named for the late Professor Varro E. Tyler — former dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences at Purdue University and an early member of the American Botanical Council’s Board of Trustees — the award reflects ABC’s longstanding mission to advance responsible research, education and quality standards in herbal medicine. Tyler helped shape the organization’s early publications and programs in pharmacognosy, ethnobotany and botanical education, including work related to ABC’s English translation and publication of the German Commission E Monographs.

Blumenthal said Natural Remedies was selected for its exceptional commitment to scientific and clinical research on Andrographis, bacopa, holy basil, licorice, and turmeric. With more than 20 published human clinical trials, the company has documented both traditional and emerging health applications of botanicals widely used in Indian systems of medicine, including support for cold and flu, cognitive function, digestive health, joint comfort and stress resilience.

Natural Remedies’ botanical innovation began with Bacomind, a clinically researched bacopa extract positioned as an industry reference standard for cognitive function. Its portfolio has since expanded to include Holixer for stress and mood, GutGard for digestive health and GLP-1 support, Ashwa.30 for stress and vitality, Turmacin for joint support and AP-Bio for immune health. Each branded ingredient is supported by clinical and preclinical research designed to deliver targeted, science-backed solutions across key health categories. Natural Remedies develops clinically supported, branded botanical ingredients used in dietary supplements and health products worldwide. The company maintains vertically integrated operations with a focus on sustainability, traceability and safety, and its ingredients are certified kosher and halal.

The 2026 Varro E. Tyler Commercial Investment in Phytomedicinal Research Award highlights both the American Botanical Council’s role in promoting scientific rigor in the herbal sector and Natural Remedies’ position as a research-driven botanical company at a time when substantiation and transparency remain central to industry credibility.

To learn more visit Natural Remedies at: https://naturalremedieshumanhealth.com.

About Natural Remedies

With a history dating back to 1950, Natural Remedies is an internationally recognized botanical healthcare company focused on combining traditional herbal wisdom with modern science. The company develops clinically supported, high-quality botanical branded ingredients used in health and wellness products around the world. Its team of 45-plus scientists has published more than 230 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to global standards in herbal medicine. Natural Remedies is committed to safety, sustainability, and innovation across its entire supply chain and all ingredients are certified kosher and halal.

As pressure builds on supplement manufacturers to meet clean label and organic standards, excipient selection is emerging as a critical formulation challenge. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a widely used synthetic filler, is not permitted in certified organic products and can introduce sourcing constraints, cost volatility, and formulation limitations. RIBUS Inc. is addressing this gap with Nu-FILL, a plant-based excipient designed to deliver the performance of conventional fillers while aligning with clean label initiatives and organic requirements.

Following initial market introduction and early commercial adoption, RIBUS is expanding production of Nu-FILL to meet growing demand from brands seeking greater control over ingredient sourcing and formulation flexibility. The company has fulfilled its first commercial order and is scaling operations to support broader industry integration.

“Manufacturers are navigating increasing complexity as they reformulate to meet both regulatory and consumer expectations, without compromising performance,” said Alicia Peirce Kasch, vice president of RIBUS. “Nu-FILL gives brands a viable path away from MCC and other restricted or less desirable fillers, while maintaining the consistency, scalability, and functionality required for modern production.”

Nu-FILL is engineered to replace MCC, as well as lactose and starch-based fillers, across tablets, capsules, and single-serve stick packs. It offers consistent flow, blend uniformity, and compressibility, enabling manufacturers to maintain production efficiency without synthetic additives.

The ingredient is made from rice hulls, rice bran extract, and agave syrup. It is non-soluble, suitable for both conventional and certified organic formulations, and meets the technical requirements needed in supplement and food manufacturing.

Nu-FILL can be incorporated at a starting ratio of 1:1 to other fillers, with flexibility depending on formulation needs. Its consistent flow and blending properties make it easy for manufacturers to adjust production without altering performance. The ingredient’s plant-based composition allows companies to meet clean label and organic requirements while maintaining efficiency on the production line.

Brands and manufacturers across dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional food sectors benefit from Nu-FILL. It supports reliable production, reduces dependency on limited or costly ingredients, and aligns formulations with growing consumer preferences for natural, transparent ingredients.

“Formulators are being asked to do more with fewer tradeoffs, such as improving label transparency while maintaining performance, and cost control,” said Kasch. “Nu-FILL delivers across all three, giving brands a dependable way to simplify formulations without sacrificing efficiency or scalability.”

RIBUS showcased Nu-FILL at SupplySide Connect, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, April 14-15. For more information on Nu-FILL and RIBUS’s full portfolio of clean label ingredients, visit https://www.ribus.com.

About RIBUS, Inc.®
Founded in 1992, RIBUS, Inc. (Rice Ingredient Business United States) is the global leader in rice-based ingredients for the food, beverage and supplement industries. The company produces plant-based non-GMO, natural, organic, vegan and gluten-free ingredients for the food, beverage, pet and dietary supplement companies. Its technology and patented ingredients are used by contract and branded manufacturers and formulators to help solve production issues while bringing clean label innovation to a wide variety of products. RIBUS is the Original Clean Label Ingredient Company®.

Early exposure to PFAS, a group of widely used compounds known as “forever chemicals,” was associated with a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer, according to University of California, Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health researchers.

The findings were published recently in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, a Nature journal.

PFAS are found in drinking water, food and beverage containers, and everyday items like nonstick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics. They don’t break down easily and can build up in the body over time.

The study adds to earlier research by the same team, which tracked PFAS exposure in drinking water among more than 40,000 California children. That work, published in Environmental Epidemiology, linked higher levels of two common PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, to increased risk of several childhood cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia and Wilms tumor.

In their new study, the researchers analyzed dried blood spots collected from newborns to get a clearer picture of early exposure. The study included 125 children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 219 children without cancer, all born in Los Angeles County between 2000 and 2015, and identified through the California Linkage Study of Early-onset Cancers.

Among 17 PFAS detected in the newborn blood, PFOA and PFOS showed up at the highest levels. Children with higher levels had increased odds of developing leukemia, though the estimates were not precise. Risk also appeared to rise with combined exposure to the two chemicals.

Researchers also identified 26 additional PFAS compounds, several of which showed similar patterns, including some that have rarely been studied.

Stronger links were seen among non-Hispanic children, though researchers cautioned that those findings are preliminary due to small sample sizes.

“This research moves us closer to understanding what babies are exposed to from the very start by directly measuring PFAS present at birth, rather than estimating exposure from drinking water,” said corresponding author Veronica Vieira, chair and professor of environmental and occupational health at Wen Public Health. “By capturing exposures during a critical window of development, we are gaining a clearer picture of how environmental contaminants may contribute to childhood cancer risk.”

The study does not prove cause and effect, but it adds to growing evidence that PFAS exposure early in life may contribute to cancer risk in children.

As PFAS contamination remains widespread, researchers say more studies are needed to understand how this persistent class of chemicals, the majority of which remain largely unmonitored, may affect children’s health and how exposure can be reduced at the population level.

The research was supported by a National Institutes of Health grant.

Additional authors include Natalie R. Binczewski of UC Irvine; Sheng Liu, Jeremy Koelmel and Krystal J. Godri Pollitt of Yale University; Libby M. Morimoto and Catherine Metayer of UC Berkeley; Joseph L. Wiemels of the University of Southern California; and Xiaomei Ma of the Yale School of Public Health.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

Cognitive decline not only affects a woman’s quality of life but also her ability to lead an independent lifestyle later in life. A new large-scale study suggests that a longer reproductive lifespan, resulting in greater exposure to endogenous estrogen, is associated with better cognitive health. Results of the study are published online in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society.

Cognitive decline can be considered a preclinical marker of dementia. Women experience faster cognitive decline than men, and it is hypothesized that sex hormones may contribute to this disparity. Reproductive span, defined as the time between age at menarche and age at menopause, represents an important aspect of natural estrogen exposure, although previous studies found inconsistent results between reproductive span and cognition. Studies on the effects of hormone therapy on cognition have also yielded conflicting results.

Given these inconsistencies in prior research regarding reproductive span and timing of hormone therapy initiation on cognitive decline, this new study used more than 30 years of prospectively collected data from more than 14,000 women to evaluate reproductive span, age at menarche, age at menopause, and surgical menopause and their associations with cognition. The results confirmed that a longer reproductive span is associated with better cognitive maintenance. However, hormone therapy use within 10 years of menopause showed no cognitive benefits.

Survey results are published in the article “Prospective study of reproductive span and menopausal hormone therapy and cognitive decline over 8 years in the Nurses’ Health Study.”

“This large observational study showed an association of longer reproductive span with better cognitive trajectories. However, longer duration of hormone therapy use, either within or outside 10 years of menopause, was not associated with better global cognitive performance. Although the results of this well-designed study may still be affected by residual confounding, they support current guidelines that recommend against the use of hormone therapy for prevention of dementia,” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society.

For more information about menopause and healthy aging, visit www.menopause.org.

The Menopause Society is dedicated to empowering healthcare professionals and providing them with the tools and resources to improve the health of women during the menopause transition and beyond. As the leading authority on menopause since 1989, the nonprofit, multidisciplinary organization serves as the independent, evidence-based resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, the media, and the public and leads the conversation about improving women’s health and healthcare experiences. To learn more, visit menopause.org.

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As stroke severity increases, the risk of progressive cognitive decline and dementia substantially escalates, according to a national study led by Michigan Medicine researchers.

People with the most severe strokes had five times higher odds of developing dementia and showed cognitive decline equivalent to being more than two years older at baseline compared with people who did not have a stroke.

The results are published in JAMA Network Open.

“Stroke severity strongly affects thinking and memory after stroke,” said senior author Deborah A. Levine, M.D., M.P.H., professor of internal medicine and neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

“Our findings highlight the need to closely monitor cognition and aggressively treat dementia risk factors in all stroke survivors, especially those with severe strokes.”

The research team analyzed health care data from more than 42,000 American adults — including approximately 1,500 stroke survivors — who were followed for up to 30 years.

Dementia risk increased with stroke severity. Compared with people who did not have a stroke, dementia risk was about twice as high after a minor stroke, three times higher after a moderate stroke and five times higher after a severe stroke.

People without stroke showed some age-related cognitive decline over time. But stroke survivors had faster long-term declines in overall cognition, memory and executive function — and the declines were greater with more severe strokes.

On average, survivors of mild-to-moderate stroke declined as if they were 1.8 years older cognitively at baseline, and survivors of moderate-to-severe stroke declined as if they were 2.6 years older.

“Cognitive impairment is not limited to people with moderate or severe strokes; we also see it after mild strokes, so all survivors are at risk and should be monitored,” said Mellanie V. Springer, M.D., M.S., co-author and Thomas H. and Susan C. Brown Early Career Professor of Neurology at U-M Medical School.

“As stroke severity increases, structural and network damage also increase. This reduces the cognitive reserve and leaves the brain less able to compensate for the stroke itself, normal age-related decline and ongoing injury from vascular risk factors.”

Small vessel disease, neurodegeneration (including Alzheimer’s disease) and chronic inflammation may also contribute to cognitive decline and dementia after stroke.

Researchers say more studies are needed to better understand these mechanisms and to test treatments to prevent poststroke dementia and cognitive decline, including strategies that target blood pressure and glucose control.

Levine’s team previously reported that higher glucose levels after stroke are linked to faster post stroke cognitive decline.

“The best ways to prevent post stroke dementia and cognitive decline are to prevent first and second strokes,” Levine said.

“That means controlling blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol to optimal levels, and taking an anticoagulant when atrial fibrillation is present, as recommended.”

Additional authors: Emily M. Briceño, Ph.D., Bruno J. Giordani, Ph.D., Rodney A. Hayward, M.D., Jeremy Sussman, M.D., Rachael T. Whitney, Ph.D., Wen Ye, Ph.D., all of University of Michigan, Silvia Koton, Ph.D., R.N., of New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Alden L. Gorss, Ph.D., and Hang Wang, Ph.D., both of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Hugo J. Aparicio, M.D., and Alexa S. Beiser, Ph.D., of Boston University, Josef Coresh, M.D., Ph.D., of New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D., of the American Heart Association, Rebecca F. Gottesman, M.D., Ph.D., of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Virginia J. Howard, Ph.D., and Ronald M. Lazar, Ph.D., both of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Michelle C. Johansen, M.D., Ph.D., of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Robert J. Stanton, M.D. of the University of Cincinnati.

Funding/disclosures: This work was funded by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health (RF1AG068410)

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

Paper cited:“Ischemic Stroke Incidence and Severity and Poststroke Cognitive Decline and Incident Dementia,” JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.8900

Consuming legumes and soy-based foods may help improve symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by reducing inflammation and irritation, according to a new study in the March 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal. COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a progressive, inflammatory lung disease that affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Previous research has identified diet and nutrition as modifiable risk factors for chronic lung disease, including COPD.

This new study examined how increased isoflavone consumption impacted participants’ breathing symptoms, cough, and overall lung health. Isoflavones are a natural substance, commonly found in legumes and soy-based foods. Participants were all former smokers and completed questionnaires regarding diet and symptoms, in addition to lung function tests and clinical assessments, at baseline, three months, and six
months. Isoflavone consumption was reported as the average intake at each of the three visits or at all visits that consumption data was available.

Study results showed people with higher isoflavone consumption experienced fewer breathing related symptoms, including reduced coughing and less difficulty clearing mucus, and improved lung health.

“Research has proven diet and nutrition can impact lung health. We need to further understand which specific nutritional components are responsible for reducing the symptoms of inflammatory conditions like COPD,” said Daniel C. Belz, M.D., MPH, of the Division of
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and lead author of the study. “Additionally, larger studies are necessary to explore how increasing isoflavone consumption helps improve COPD symptoms and overall lung health.”

To access current and past issues of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, visit journal.copdfoundation.org.

About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer
and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis, and
NTM lung disease. The Foundation does this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and
awareness to prevent disease, slow progression, and find a cure. For more information, visit
copdfoundation.org, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Researchers from the University of California San Diego have found that diabetes is linked to changes in measurable biological signals in the blood that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and brain damage in Latino adults. The study, published on April 23, 2026 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, suggests that metabolic health may play an important role in shaping future dementia risk.

“Diabetes is usually discussed in terms of heart disease or kidney problems, but our findings show it may also be closely connected to changes in the brain,” said Hector González, PhD, corresponding author and professor in the Department of Neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “These biological signals in the blood give us early clues about processes that could eventually lead to Alzheimer’s disease.”

The study followed more than 6,000 middle-aged and older Latino adults from several U.S. cities with large Latino populations, including San Diego, as part of a 15-year community health research project. Researchers examined whether people with diabetes — or with higher long-term blood sugar levels — showed changes in blood-based indicators linked to Alzheimer’s disease and nerve cell damage.

They found that individuals with diabetes had higher levels of blood signals associated with abnormal tau, a protein that normally helps support nerve cells in the brain but becomes harmful in Alzheimer’s disease by forming tangles that disrupt brain function. Participants with diabetes also showed lower levels of a blood signal related to amyloid, a protein that can build up in the brain and form sticky plaques that interfere with communication between brain cells. Similar patterns were also observed in people with elevated blood sugar levels even if they had not been diagnosed with diabetes.

“These blood-based indicators don’t diagnose Alzheimer’s disease,” added Kevin González, first author and a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine, “but they can help us identify who may be on a higher-risk path years before memory problems appear.”

Latino communities experience some of the highest rates of diabetes in the U.S. and often face barriers to early diagnosis and treatment. Previous studies suggest that treating diabetes may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, raising the possibility that better blood sugar control could also reduce the harmful brain-related changes seen in this study.

Because these signals can be measured through a simple blood draw, this approach may offer a more accessible way to monitor brain health than brain scans or spinal fluid tests, particularly in communities with limited access to specialty care.

The researchers plan to explore whether improving diabetes management can slow or reverse these blood-based changes and reduce long-term dementia risk.

“If we can identify risk earlier and act sooner,” Kevin González said, “we may be able to change the course of Alzheimer’s disease and reduce health disparities in Latino communities.”

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Link to full study: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.71223

Additional co-authors on the study include: ​​ Judy Pa, PhD; Sarah Banks, PhD; Katherine J. Bangen, PhD; Douglas Galasko, MD; Natasha Z. Anita, PhD, and Freddie Márquez, PhD, from UC San Diego School of Medicine. Wassim Tarraf, PhD, from Wayne State University. Linda C. Gallo, PhD, and Ariana Stickel, PhD, from San Diego State University. Paola Filigrana, PhD, and Carmen R. Isasi, MD, from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Martha Daviglus, MD, and Fernando D. Testai, MD, from University of Illinois in Chicago. Melissa Lamar, PhD, from University of Illinois in Chicago and Rush University Medical Center. Charles DeCarli, MD, from University of California, Davis.

The study was funded, in part, by the National Institute of Aging (R01AG075758, R56AG048642, RF1AG054548, and RF1AG061022)

Authors report no conflicts of interest.