Insulin Problems May Signal Alzheimer's

08/22/08 Research

Fifty-year-old men with impaired insulin secretion and glucose tolerance demonstrated an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life, according to a new study.

This study, published in Neurology comes on the heels of a similar project that identified that diabetics with the gene protein APO 4 are more likely to experience dementia or Alzheimer’s as they age than non-type 2 diabetics with the trait. That study, published in the Archives of Neurology proposes too much glucose to the brain may cause deposits to form and damage both large and small vessels of the organ. Diabetes has long been suspect in cerebral vascular disease and dementia. Narrowing vessels impair the passage of proteins vital to the brain’s functional cognitive abilities.

In the most recent study, researchers concluded there is a link between poor insulin secretion in mid-life and Alzheimer’s. While Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, not all dementia is Alzheimer’s. Dementia is defined as having two or more problems with brain functions like cognitive ability and memory, or speech, etc. It is actually a group of disorders. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disorder that eventually robs individuals of memory and ability to function, ultimately leading to death. It generally begins after age 60. Not all memory loss is dementia either.

Finally, these studies only analyzed male type 2 diabetics, and only those who developed diabetes around the age of 50. The implications may not apply to all diabetics. There are differences between type 1 and type 2. Surely the proposal about hyperglycemic conditions having the potential of impairing brain function may apply to both. The rest remains to be seen with more studies and time.

Sources:

Neurology, April 2008

Archives of Neurology, January 2008

Corie Richter is a nurse and physician's assistant who started her career as a health educator. The survivor of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and partially successful quadruple bypass surgery, she did not let her health challenges hamper her. Neither the limitations of spinal surgery nor of diabetes have deterred her from a mission of service. She now encourages others through writing and speaking engagements to master their disabilities through education and a proactive attitude.