Glucosamine linked to faster Alzheimer's progression in University of Florida study

September 27, 2026 at 07:24 PM2 min

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University of Florida researchers found glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher likelihood that mild cognitive impairment would progress to dementia. The study, published in Nature Metabolism, analyzed UF Health records from 2012 to 2024 and included 1,896 people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and 2,750 with mild cognitive impairment. The findings are preliminary and require testing in a human clinical trial.

Key Facts

Glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher likelihood that mild cognitive impairment would progress to dementia.
Among people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher mortality risk.
The study analyzed deidentified UF Health records collected from 2012 to 2024, including 1,896 people with ADRD and 2,750 with MCI.
The findings were published in Nature Metabolism and are preliminary, requiring testing in a human clinical trial.
In both the ADRD and MCI groups, 8% of patients reported using glucosamine.

Study Design

Researchers at the University of Florida used artificial intelligence to analyze deidentified UF Health records collected from 2012 to 2024. The team focused on patients diagnosed with either Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In both groups, 8% of patients reported using glucosamine, including 1,896 people with ADRD and 2,750 people with MCI. The analysis accounted for age, sex, and demographics.

Key Findings

Glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher likelihood that mild cognitive impairment would progress to dementia. Among people who already had ADRD, glucosamine use was also associated with a 25% higher mortality risk. The researchers did not observe that mortality association in the MCI group. That difference suggests glucosamine may have a stronger effect once dementia is already established. The health record findings do not show that glucosamine itself causes dementia to progress.

Context and Implications

In the United States, about 7 million people live with Alzheimer's and millions more with related dementias such as Lewy body or frontotemporal dementia, according to senior author Ramon Sun. Glucosamine is widely sold without a prescription and is especially popular among older adults who take it for joint discomfort and joint health. The results remain preliminary and will need to be tested in a human clinical trial. The researchers say the findings add to growing evidence that disrupted metabolism may play an important role in neurodegeneration.