UT Health San Antonio Secures Grant to Investigate Link Between Chronic Jet Lag and Alzheimer’s Risk

UT Health San Antonio researchers investigate how sleep loss and high-fat diets trigger Alzheimer’s. Discover if metabolic rhythms can stop brain protein buildup.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 5:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

Environmental Stressors and the Genesis of Late Onset Dementia

The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center has launched a targeted investigation into the non genetic factors that may trigger the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. While hereditary factors account for approximately 60% of a patient's risk, the remaining 40% remains a complex puzzle of environmental influences that researchers are now beginning to decode. This newly funded project focuses on the intersection of modern lifestyle habits and biological vulnerability, specifically looking at how the loss of homeostasis through external stressors can accelerate the degradation of cognitive health in ways that purely genetic models fail to capture.

Simulating Global Travel to Measure Neurological Decay

At the heart of the research is a sophisticated animal model designed to mimic the grueling effects of chronic jet lag, a condition increasingly common in a globalized workforce. Led by Dr. Juan Pablo Palavicini and Dr. Kevin B. Koronowski, the team is subjecting middle aged subjects to a light dark schedule that shifts eight hours forward twice per week, a pace that mirrors traveling between Texas, Europe, and Australia in rapid succession. This methodology is intended to push the boundaries of biological resiliency, allowing scientists to observe how the brain handles the persistent misalignment of natural internal clocks over an extended period.

The Dangerous Intersection of Shift Work and Poor Nutrition

The study recognizes that sleep loss rarely occurs in a vacuum and often coincides with significant dietary changes. According to Dr. Koronowski, individuals working rotating or night shifts are statistically more likely to consume lower quality, Western style diets characterized by high fat and sugar content. By introducing these nutritional stressors alongside sleep deprivation, the research team hopes to create a more authentic representation of the human experience. This holistic approach moves beyond traditional isolated variables to understand how the combined weight of poor sleep and metabolic strain creates a fertile environment for neurodegeneration.