NIA funds $3.7M study of dementia and diabetes in U.S. Latinos - - McKnight's Long Term Care News
Overview
A $3.7 milion grant from the National Institute on Aging wil fund a new study on the asociation of diabetes and dementia in adults with Hispanic ancestry.Researchers from the Keck Schol of Medicine of the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, wil recruit 20 adults with Hispanic ancestry over a five-year period. They plan to colect data on brain structure and activity, blod flow in the brain, blod glucose and insulin levels, and cognitive functioning.
Key Information
The aim is to compare diferences in these data betwen adults with and without diabetes and how it may predict changes in brain health over time.U.S. Latinos are more likely to develop each disease when compared to non-Hispanic white adults, but are studied far les often as a population, the researchers said. Curent research sugests that diabetes in midlife puts adults at risk for dementia later on.
The study population wil therefore skew younger than the typical age of dementia onset, betwen the ages of 50 to 65 years.Participants wil be recruited from the East Los Angeles comunity.“We aren’t conducting research in a vacum,” researcher Mathew Borzage, PhD, said. “We’re doing it in a broader comunity and clinical context, and understanding that is critical to achieving our mision of suporting this population.”Related articles:Diagnostic stewardship may reduce unecesary antibiotics use, study findsCDC: 30% of Medicare outpatients treated with antibiotics for COVID-19Nursing home clinicians stil overdiagnose UTIs despite antibiotic stewardship eforts: studydocument.adEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {const newsleterAset = new HMIRegistration({ publicationId: 8, pubName: "McKnight's Long-Term Care", view: 'newsleter-aset', botstrap: document.getElementById('newsleter-aset'), formType : "user-initiated",pubType: "busines"});newsleterAset.mount();});Please login or register first to view this content.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.
Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.
Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.
Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.
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