A widely-used supplement taken by many Americans for joint discomfort may accelerate the development of dementia, according to new research that could reshape treatment recommendations.
Scientists examined health records spanning from 2012 to 2024 for nearly 60,000 individuals experiencing different levels of cognitive decline. Their findings revealed that consistent glucosamine usage correlated with a 25% increased risk of transitioning from mild cognitive decline to full dementia.
The research, published in Nature Metabolism, also discovered that among patients already diagnosed with dementia, those taking glucosamine faced a 25% greater chance of dying during the study period.
Interestingly, patients with only minor cognitive issues showed no increased mortality risk, indicating that glucosamine’s harmful effects may intensify as brain deterioration advances, according to the study authors.
Laboratory tests on animals revealed that glucosamine worsens a destructive brain process known as hyperglycosylation, where sugar molecules improperly bind to brain proteins and interfere with essential neurological operations.
“The electronic health record data are very provocative,” said study coauthor Matt Gentry of the University of Florida. “While it’s an association and not proof of causality, it does raise an important clinical question that now deserves much more attention.”
An accompanying analysis suggested that the dementia deterioration linked to enhanced glycosylation from glucosamine consumption indicates glycosylation “is a targetable pathway for combating this disease.”
In separate research challenging conventional medical advice, scientists found that controlled screen exposure might actually benefit children recovering from head injuries.
The study, featured in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that moderate daily screen usage on specific devices during the initial three days after concussion led to faster healing compared to complete screen avoidance.
“These findings support that moderate screen time – not too little or too much – may support concussion recovery,” explained study leader Jingzhen Ginger Yang, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
“A median of 141 minutes of screen time each day was associated with a 35% faster recovery, compared to 260 minutes of screen time each day,” Yang noted. “Youth who use screens for more than four hours per day or less than two hours per day may be at risk for slower concussion symptom resolution.”
The research team tracked 80 teenagers with concussions using wearable technology that monitored their after-school screen exposure across smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and gaming systems.
Device type proved significant in recovery outcomes. Approximately two hours daily of smartphone and television usage promoted quicker healing, while computer, tablet, and gaming activities showed no meaningful connection to symptom improvement.
“While clinical trials are needed to keep moving forward, this study shows a potential development in concussion treatment practices, contrary to previous guidance that recommended total avoidance of screens,” said study coauthor Dr. Thomas Pommering, also of Nationwide Children’s.
