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Praised for research on diabetes and dementia

Joao Duarte's research group is investigating how the brain is affected by diabetes. Photograph: Petra Olsson
Joao Duarte's research group is investigating how the brain is affected by diabetes. Photograph: Petra Olsson

Diabetes researcher Joao Duarte specialices in studying what happens in the brain in diabetes. In his research, he is also investigating how diet changes can improve brain function in connection with diabetes. He will be awarded this year's Medeon stipend on the World Diabetes Day Skåne event in Malmö on November 14.

"I hope that my research can contribute to an increased awareness of the importance of the role of the brain for healthy ageing. If we have a healthy lifestyle, we reduce the disease burden for society. We know that a reduced consumption of sugar and saturated fats improves brain function, so there is a lot to gain on an individual level," says Joao Duarte, researcher in diabetes and brain function at Lund University Diabetes Centre.

He is awarded this year's Medeon stipend of SEK 50,000 for research on complications in the brain in diabetes, which can lead to dementia. He will be awarded the stipend on the World Diabetes Day Skåne event in Malmö on November 14. This year's event focuses on common complications of diabetes and new treatments and solutions that can improve the lives of people affected with diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is known to increase the risk of developing dementia. Research has shown that high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to vascular dementia. Diabetes can also affect neurons in the brain, which can lead to impaired memory and learning difficulties.

Supportive cells in the brain

Joao Duarte's research group is investigating how two other cell types in the brain are affected in diabetes. The two types of glial cells Joao Duarte is studying are called astrocytes and microglia. The role of these two cell types is to surround neurons and support them so that they can send and receive and signals within the brain.

"We can see that the neurons are still there in connection with diabetes, but they are not functioning well. A reason to this seems to be that the ability of the astrocytes and microglia to support the neurons is impaired," says Joao Duarte.

In research on rats, Joao Duarte has seen that astrocytes become hyperactive in connection with diabetes and stop providing the right support to the neurons, which leads to memory dysfunction.

Diet and brain function

He is also investigating how an unhealthy diet affects important memory functions. Previous research has shown that a diet rich in fat and sugar induces obesity and diabetes in mice and may impact their memory. Joao Duarte wanted to find out if the impairments were temporary or permanent. In a study on mice, Joao Duarte's research group was able to show that it is possible to reverse a negative development.

Mice that were first given a diet rich in fat and sugar had major metabolic alterations in the hippocampus and cortex, and impaired memory. The study also showed that the brain structure and important memory functions were restored when those mice were assigned to the group who had a diet low in fat. Important memory functions were also restored. 

In a recent study, the research group studied the effects of taurine and acetylcysteine on memory. Taurine is found naturally in the body and is produced synthetically as an ingredient in energy drinks. Acetylcysteine is a drug used in the treatment of chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis. The researchers treated mice, who were exposed to a diet rich in fat, with the two substances and found that they could prevent memory impairment. 

In an upcoming study, Joao Duarte is planning to investigate whether a lack of taurine that is found naturally in the body can be linked to an increased incidence of dementia in a population study.

"It is far too early to give recommendations based on our recent findings. We need to do a lot more research to understand how memory functions are affected in diabetes, and whether it is possible to prevent dementia in people with diabetes through a changed diet or new treatments. I hope that our research can contribute to the development of interventions that can improve brain function," says Joao Duarte.

Fact box

Diabetes and the brain

Diabetes can impact the brain in several ways. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the brain, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply. This can lead to vascular dementia.

The opposite, low blood sugar levels, which can happen after an insulin injection, can be dangerous to the brain. The brain requires glucose to function, and a severe hypoglycemia episode can cause loss of consciousness.   

Diabetes can also affect the neurons and their supporting glial cells in the brain, which can result in memory and learning problems.

If diabetes is managed well, it is possible to reduce negative effects on the brain.

Source: Joao Duarte, Lund University

Food for the brain

Research has shown that there are certain foods that may be good for brain health. 

  • Nuts, especially walnuts, are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids that may be good for your memory.
  • Berries include antioxidants and fiber that are good for the brain.
  • Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Green, leafy vegetables are rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins that can help slow cognitive decline.
  • Coffee and tee. Caffeine can help improve short-term concentration, mental function and memory ability.

Source: Joao Duarte at Lund University and Harvard Medical School

 

Contact

Joao Duarte, senior lecturer and researcher at LUDC and the strategic research area EXODIAB at Lund University. He is also affiliated with Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine.

Joao Duarte's profile in Lund University's research portal 

World Diabetes Day Skåne

The World Diabetes Day Skåne event is arranged on Thursday November 14 at Clinical Research Centre, CRC, in Malmö. 

During the event, the speakers will talk about common complications of diabetes and new solutions and treatments that can improve the lives of people affected by diabetes.

Companies, organisations and scientific studies within the area of diabetes will exhibit their work. The Medeon stipend will be presented in connection with the event. 

The Medeon stipend of SEK 50,000 is awarded annually to a researcher at Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC) by Medeon Science Park, Moll Wendén Advokatbyrå and Max Matthiessen.