Type 2 diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, scientists believe that some of the hallmarks of diabetes, such as high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and inflammation, may contribute to the development of neurodegeneration. Just two decades ago, type 2 diabetes was considered a disease of the elderly, but now at least one in five people are diagnosed before age 40.
In a new study, researchers from New York University followed more than 1,200 Americans over 50 years of age at the start of the study. By the end, 18% had developed dementia.
It turned out that having a history of type 2 diabetes before age 50 increased the risk of dementia by 1.9 times.
If diabetes was diagnosed between ages 50 and 70, the risk of dementia was 1.7 times higher. The highest risk was found in obese individuals.
"New data on the link between dementia and diabetes support the need for further research and the development of new dementia prevention methods," the authors stated. First and foremost, they recommend weight management and dietary modifications for all at-risk individuals.
Previously, in other studies, scientists have shown that the risk of diabetes increases significantly in people with the owl chronotype, as well as in those taking steroid drugs.
