# Feasibility of Improving Glycemia to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $472,952

## Abstract

Project Summary
The impaired glycemic control associated with pre-diabetes increases risk for type 2 diabetes, which is a
known risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Mechanisms such as impaired energy metabolism, cellular
bioenergetic function, reduced intracellular protein homeostasis (proteostasis), and inflammation are all
potential contributors to AD etiology. Therefore, a novel therapy that simultaneously improves glycemic control
and cellular chaperone systems (i.e. Heat Shock Proteins, HSPs) may prove particularly effective in preventing
and treating AD. Heat therapy has been independently shown to improve blood glucose regulation, insulin
resistance, and inflammation. Importantly, heat therapy also activates inter-organ crosstalk via endocytic
vesicles and increases HSPs to improve both mitochondrial function and proteostasis in a variety of tissues.
Given the potential contribution of these factors to brain health, heat therapy could offer immense clinical
benefit to individuals at risk for AD. Here, we will determine if heat therapy can improve blood (Aim 1) and brain
(Aim 2) glucose metabolism in cognitively healthy older adults (65+) who are at risk for AD. We will also
examine the degree to which changes in blood and brain glucose metabolism track together and explore
several additional potential mechanisms that are critical to understanding the brain benefits of heat therapy
(Aim 3). These aims will provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of heat therapy on glucose
homeostasis and brain health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10834192
- **Project number:** 5R01AG081304-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Paige C Geiger
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $472,952
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10834192

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10834192, Feasibility of Improving Glycemia to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease (5R01AG081304-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10834192. Licensed CC0.

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