Diabetes is a growing problem in America, and all over the world, today. Currently, almost 10% of the American population carries a diagnosis of diabetes, and 1.5 million new cases are added each year. Diabetes disproportionately strikes older Americans, with more than 25% of people over the age of 65 affected.
Diabetes impacts an individual’s overall health in a number of ways, including increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, and amputation. One of the most frightening effects it can have is increasing a person’s risk of dementia. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes or lifestyle-induced diabetes, is known to increase the risk of developing dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Scientists wonder: could a drug that treats diabetes also cure Alzheimer’s disease?
Scientists are working hard to determine the link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Statistics show that there is, indeed, a relationship between the two conditions. Up to 80% of individuals over the age of 65 who have dementia may also have Type 2 diabetes. It is clear that Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, in which the cells of the body no longer respond to insulin. Insulin normally helps shuttle sugar from the blood into cells, so insulin resistance causes sugar to build up in the bloodstream.
Alzheimer’s disease occurs when two types of protein, tau proteins, and amyloid proteins, build up in the brain, causing tangles and plaques that interfere with normal brain function and eventually cause brain cell death. There seems to be a connection between insulin resistance and the development of these proteins: fruit flies with insulin resistance are unable to clear tau proteins from the brain. If insulin resistance interferes with the body’s ability to clear the proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease, could treating insulin resistance treat Alzheimer’s?
Scientists have work in both human and animal models revealing potential diabetes drug treatments that may cure Alzheimer’s disease. Human studies have already established that controlling blood sugar reduces the risk of developing dementia. They’ve also revealed that treating humans with inhaled insulin reduces cognitive impairment, a sign of pre-dementia.
The most promising is a new study in which mice were treated with a diabetes drug combination already known to be safe for humans: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. Scientists took mice that were bred to carry a mutation that causes Alzheimer’s and treated them with this drug regimen daily for 2 months. Then, they were placed in a maze designed to test memory. The mice showed improved memory skills in the maze as well as lower levels of protein plaques in the brain, a lower rate of overall nerve cell death, and lower levels of nerve inflammation.
Those hoping to cure Alzheimer’s disease and to prevent Alzheimer’s in patients already diagnosed with diabetes are looking for more answers with this valuable line of research. The results are promising. This diabetes drug just might be the golden ticket!
For more information on diabetes, be sure to read our other article: Sugary Drinks Increase Risk of Hypertension and Diabetes
This post was last modified on November 3, 2022 12:33 pm
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a common yet frequently overlooked condition affecting a significant portion of adults. It ranges… Read More
Health is wealth, as the old saying goes. You probably have heard about the importance of regular OBYGN checkups. However,… Read More
In today's society, the prevalence of mental health challenges is on the rise, making assisted living and mental health support more vital.… Read More
In the complex landscape of modern healthcare, physical medicine plays a crucial role in promoting wellness, managing chronic conditions and… Read More
Introduction Testosterone is often thought of as just something that helps men with their muscle build and sex drive. But… Read More
In an era where the pace of life seems to be constantly accelerating, safeguarding our mental wellness has never been… Read More
When you are healthy, and your lungs are clear, it becomes easy to breathe. Occasionally, you feel like coughing, which… Read More
As Sweden continues to advance its public health initiatives, the debate around smoking cessation methods, including vaping, gains prominence. This… Read More
Starting a private practice is very exciting and quite terrifying all at once. It takes a lot of hard work… Read More
For the orthopedic practice to flourish in the highly competitive healthcare market of today, it is not enough to have… Read More