Ryusuke Takechi

Studies report that the risk of cognitive impairment significantly increases with diabetic insulin resistance, however it is not yet known how this effect occurs. Blood vessels in the brain have a unique structure called the blood-brain barrier to prevent toxic substances in the blood from entering brain cells. Emerging evidence suggests that when this barrier is compromised (as happens with neurodegenerative diseases), toxic substances might leak into brain cells and cause substantial inflammation, which in turn can stress brain cells and affect the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. 

Dr Takechi’s project will use a dietary induced animal model of diabetes to determine the effects of insulin resistance on the blood-brain barrier functions and cognition, and will try to reveal the underlying mechanisms that may cause the relationship.

Dr Takechi is a Research Fellow at the School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Technology, Curtin University, WA.