DDI and University of Southampton join forces to tackle the association between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease

The Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) — established by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and The University of Southampton (UK) — are pleased to announce a new tripartite research partnership aimed at advancing the understanding of the association between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

This initiative builds upon growing evidence that individuals with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and other forms of dementia. The joint project focuses on developing innovative therapeutic approaches to restore the brain’s vital clearance system, which is known to deteriorate with age and Alzheimer’s progression.

This partnership brings together leading expertise in neuroscience and translational research, led by Professor Roxana Carare, Professor of Clinical Neuroanatomy and Head of the School of Clinical & Experimental Sciences at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with Dr. Mohammed Abdulla Al-Onaizi, Principal Investigator at Dasman Diabetes Institute and Associate Professor at Abdullah Al Salem University. Their research will investigate how stimulating specific nerve pathways can enhance the brain’s natural waste clearance mechanisms — offering a promising new therapeutic direction for Alzheimer’s disease.

This collaboration is jointly funded by the Dasman Diabetes Institute and the University of Southampton through the Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed and Dr. Laila AbdelWareth Medical Innovation Fund. The funding supports the appointment of Dr. Kawthar Braysh as a Postdoctoral Researcher, who will be dedicated to advancing this project in Kuwait over the next few years. This initiative reflects the growing importance of regional and international collaborative efforts, particularly across the Gulf region, to enhance scientific innovation and address pressing global health challenges.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to addressing the global burden of neurodegenerative diseases as a potential complication of diabetes through collaborative and translational research,” said Dr. Faisal Hamed Al Refaei, Acting Director-General of DDI. “It also reinforces the strong scientific cooperation between Kuwait and the United Kingdom, paving the way for innovation and excellence in health research.”

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