New Link found Between Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease

It is most likely you have heard of dementia and diabetes a lot over the past years as they have affected the lives of millions of people around the world. It is also likely you have heard of diabetes being caused of lifestyle choices and how you need to follow a healthier life to keep it under control, and although that can be true for many cases, it is not the only truth out there. Keep reading to find out more on the latest news that science has to offer.

First Let’s talk about Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease
Diabetes refers to a group of diseases in which the person suffers from having a high level of sugar in the blood. Sometimes because the metabolism doesn’t produce enough insulin, which is the hormone responsible for putting that sugar to use and not pile on the blood, and sometimes just because the cells of the body don’t respond to insulin. Lastly there are types of diabetes where both reasons combine. It is one of the most spread diseases worldwide, more than 382 million people are affected as it was estimated in 2013.

Alzheimer’s disease on the other hand is a mental disorder which mainly occurs on middle or old aged people and progresses with time. It affects a person’s memory, intellect and abilities like learning, reasoning, communicating, etc. According to the latest statistics, about 44 million people suffer from this disease throughout the world, and the trend seems to show a great increase over the last couple of years.

You’re Probably Wondering, How Do These Two Relate?
Well doctors have said that a link is possible considering how a high level of sugar on blood damages blood vessels and when located in the brain damaged vessels can trigger Alzheimer, also it can cause inflammation which again can harm brain cells. Further the imbalance of hormones caused by insulin is not healthy for the brain which needs many other hormones to function normally.

Considering these ideas scientists started conducting experiments and researches to find proof. Several studies came to the conclusion that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes also had symptoms of brain disorders. Their brain showed a tendency toward insulin resistance and problems with the ability to use glucose as needed. Moreover it was shocking to find out that people who had been living with diabetes for less than 10 years had a smaller hippocampus (a region in the brain) than other people, the role of whom is connected to memory functions.

Another experiment discovered that participants had quite a rapid increase in a protein considered toxic for the brain cells, beta-amyloid. Besides this, their relation continues further when it comes to improve memory. A drug used to moderate diabetes, metformin, was given to one out of two groups of people. The group who did use the drug had a lower risk of developing dementia.  

New Developments
As we explained earlier the most common theory revolves around the idea that diabetes could have some impact on our body which might trigger dementia. However the latest research is suggesting otherwise! It is the first time that scientists are claiming that Alzheimer’s disease could be leading to diabetes. Two research teams, one representing Alzheimer and one diabetes collaborated to carry on the research and investigate further on the tie between the two diseases.

They were mainly pushed by the fact that about 80 % of people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease are diagnosed with some type of diabetes as well. Surprising, huh? This is a major discovery which certainly calls for action to find out more.

Their results were that complications in the brain which come from Alzheimer could be causing a change in the way that the brain uses glucose, a change for worse obviously! This also shatters the usual belief that diabetes starts with pancreas problems or with terrible diets full of sugar and fat. Additionally they report that these two diseases are so close, that the drugs used for keeping stable glucose levels on the blood could also help ease Alzheimer’s features.

Scientists plan to keep investigating further into Alzheimer’s medications and see if they can have positive effects on diabetes as well.  

Conclusions
Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease have a connection between, however contrary to what has been believed up to now, studies are showing that it could be Alzheimer leading to diabetes. This happens as a consequence of the way in which dementia affects the normal functioning of the brain and creates problems when it comes to using sugar for energy needed by the cells. This is one of the first researches of its kind and will hopefully be backed by others in the near future, which will clear things up even more. One thing to look out for is results on the possible treatments that could help cure both diseases in the same time. Now that would be great!

References
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/9325/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabete