A recent study indicated that a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes could reduce the risk of developing dementia, in particular Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative disease.
- 90% of diabetics are affected by type 2 diabetes, according to Inserm.
- Type 2 diabetes usually affects people over the age of 40.
Diabetes results in hyperglycemia, in other words an excess of sugar in the blood which leads to too high blood sugar. There are two forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Adults with type 2 diabetes are 1.5 to 3 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease which is the most common cause of dementia, or vascular dementia.
Thiazolidinedione: it could prevent the risk of dementia
In a recent study published in the British Medical Journal Open Diabetes Research & Careresearchers found that thiazolidinedione (TZD), a drug prescribed for type 2 diabetes, may be associated with a 22% reduction in the risk of dementia.
To arrive at these results, the scientists observed the medical records of 559,106 patients over the age of 60 who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. These data come from the national Veteran Affairs (VA) health system carried out in the United States. United States, between January 2001 and February 2017. The research team then assessed the risk of dementia in subjects who had received a first prescription of metformin, sulfonylurea or thiazolidinedione. These drug treatments are prescribed to fight type 2 diabetes.
An 11% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
After one year of treatment, the use of thiazolidinedione reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 11% and the risk of vascular dementia by 57%. According to researchers, this drug has a favorable effect on the vascular system.
The researchers noted, however, that the risk of dementia was less than 11% when metformin and thiazolidinedione were used together. “However, the risk of developing dementia was 12% higher when the sulfonylurea was used alone compared to the use of metformin. Adding metformin or thiazolidinedione may partially offset the pro-dementia effects of the sulfonylurea These findings may help inform drug selection for older patients with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of dementia.”the study officials concluded.