Indian-Origin Researcher Links Diabetes Management to Dementia Prevention

In a groundbreaking discovery, Indian-origin scientist Narendra Kumar, an associate professor at Texas A&M University, has established a significant connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Published in the ‘American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’ journal, Kumar’s research suggests that effectively managing diabetes could potentially prevent or significantly slow down the progression of dementia in Alzheimer’s patients. By focusing on preventative measures or amelioration strategies for diabetes, Kumar believes there is promising potential to mitigate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Diabetes and Alzheimer’s represent two of the most pressing health concerns worldwide, with diabetes affecting approximately one in 10 US adults and Alzheimer’s ranking among the top 10 leading causes of death in the US. Kumar and his team explored the impact of diet on Alzheimer’s development in individuals with diabetes. Their findings revealed that a high-fat diet suppresses the expression of a specific protein in the gut known as Jak3. This suppression led to a chain reaction of inflammation from the intestine to the liver and ultimately to the brain, resulting in Alzheimer’s-like symptoms and cognitive impairment in mice. The researchers hypothesize that the gut-brain pathway involves the liver, which plays a crucial role in metabolizing nutrients. Changes in Jak3 expression due to dietary factors can lead to leaky gut, chronic inflammation, diabetes, impaired brain function in clearing toxins, and the onset of dementia-like symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This research underscores the importance of managing diabetes effectively as a potential strategy for preventing or delaying the onset of dementia in Alzheimer’s patients.