2023 Alzheimer's Association Research Grant to Promote Diversity (AARG-D)
Obesity-related vascular impairment contributes to Alzheimer’s disease
How is obesity linked to an individual’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s?
Catrina Sims Robinson, Ph.D.
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC - United States
Background
As obesity prevalence increases worldwide, there are also increases in the consequences for overall health related to obesity. Obesity is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and vascular (blood vessel) disorders which impact multiple systems in the body, including the brain. This inturn may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s in older adults. In initial studies, Dr. Catrina Robinson and colleagues found that mice fed a diet high in fat resulted in vascular changes in the brain.
Research Plan
Dr. Robinson and the team will now examine the mechanisms by which obesity is associated with vascular changes in the brain and Alzheimer’s by investigating two potential mechanisms. First, they examine how insulin is associated with obesity-induced vascular changes in the brain. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body maintain appropriate levels of blood sugar and can be transported to the brain to maintain nerve cell energy levels. The researchers will feed the same high fat diet from their initial studies to genetically engineered Alzheimer’s-like mice and measure the amount of insulin transported to the brain.
Additionally, the team will investigate the impact of obesity-induced vascular changes on neuronal activity in the brain. They will measure neuronal activity using specialized brain imaging techniques in genetically engineered Alzheimer’s-like mice fed a high fat diet and associate changes in neuronal activity with vascular changes and cognitive function.
Impact
The results of this study may help improve our understanding of how obesity is linked to Alzheimer’s risk in older individuals. These findings may also inform future strategies for prevention of Alzheimer’s.