Chennai’s MDRF joins global effort to study link between diabetes and brain health
Chennai: In a major collaboration, the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Chennai, has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at IISc, Bengaluru, and the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) to advance research on the connection between diabetes and brain health.
The partnership brings together leading experts in diabetes, neuroscience, and dementia to investigate how metabolic disorders like diabetes may contribute to cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. The collaboration aims to enable large-scale studies, data sharing, and translational research that could improve early detection and prevention strategies worldwide.
Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of MDRF, described the initiative as a milestone in understanding the wider impact of diabetes.
He said, “This collaboration marks a milestone in our journey to understand how diabetes affects not just the body but also the brain. With our decades of work in diabetes and metabolic health, and by joining hands with eminent neuroscientists and dementia researchers, we hope to uncover mechanisms that will ultimately improve the quality of life for millions worldwide.”
Dr. R. M. Anjana, President, MDRF, added, “Diabetes is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Through this partnership, we will leverage the strength of multi-disciplinary expertise and diverse datasets to uncover early markers of brain aging in people with diabetes. This could pave the way for preventive and therapeutic breakthroughs.”
This collaboration addresses the growing recognition of diabetes as a risk factor for neurological disorders.