Diabetes Linked to Alzheimer’s Biomarkers in Latino Adults, UCSD Study Finds
Researchers from the University of California San Diego have found that diabetes is associated with changes in blood-based biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease and brain damage in Latino adults. The study was published on April 23, 2026 in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Key Findings
- Individuals with diabetes had higher levels of blood biomarkers associated with abnormal tau protein, which forms tangles in the brain in Alzheimer's disease.
- Participants with diabetes had lower levels of a blood biomarker related to amyloid protein, which can form plaques that disrupt brain cell communication.
- Similar patterns were observed in participants with elevated blood sugar levels but without a diabetes diagnosis.
- The biomarkers do not diagnose Alzheimer's disease but may indicate higher risk years before cognitive symptoms appear.
Study Details
- The study followed over 6,000 middle-aged and older Latino adults from several U.S. cities, including San Diego, as part of a 15-year community health research project.
- Blood samples were analyzed for biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's pathology and nerve cell damage.
- Lead author Kevin González (postdoctoral fellow, UC San Diego Department of Neurosciences) stated that the biomarkers can help identify individuals on a higher-risk path before memory problems emerge.
- Senior author Hector González (professor, UC San Diego Department of Neurosciences) noted that the findings suggest metabolic health may play an important role in shaping future dementia risk.
Implications
- Blood-based biomarkers offer a more accessible alternative to brain scans or spinal fluid tests for monitoring brain health, particularly in communities with limited access to specialty care.
- Previous studies suggest that treating diabetes may lower Alzheimer's risk; the researchers plan to investigate whether improving diabetes management can slow or reverse the observed biomarker changes.
- Latino communities experience high rates of diabetes and face barriers to early diagnosis and treatment; identifying risk earlier could help reduce health disparities.
Funding and Conflicts
The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging (grants R01AG075758, R56AG048642, RF1AG054548, RF1AG061022). Authors report no conflicts of interest.