Diabetes Drugs Show Promise in Combating Dementia, New Research Reveals
Exeter, UK - Emerging research is solidifying the link between diabetes and dementia, revealing potential therapeutic avenues using existing diabetes medications to protect brain health.A growing body of evidence suggests managing diabetes isn’t just crucial for heart and kidney function, but also for preserving cognitive abilities and perhaps reducing dementia risk.
Scientists are uncovering ten key connections between the two conditions, focusing on how improving metabolic health can impact brain function. One critical area is insulin resistance in the brain,prompting trials of nasal insulin sprays designed to deliver the hormone directly to the brain,bypassing effects on blood sugar. Early studies indicate these sprays may improve memory and reduce brain shrinkage, tho challenges remain in ensuring consistent delivery and establishing long-term safety.
Beyond insulin, researchers are investigating the potential of SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of diabetes drugs, to lower dementia risk - including Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia - even compared to other common diabetes treatments like GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications work by increasing sugar removal through urine and appear to reduce inflammation in the brain.
The success of diabetes research, yielding over 50 different medications across 13 classes, offers a promising foundation. These drugs not only control blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity but also tackle inflammation – factors increasingly recognized as vital for brain health. while questions remain about whether these benefits extend to individuals without diabetes, the findings suggest that improved diabetes management may offer a surprising ”side effect”: better preservation of brain health during aging.
This article is based on research published by Craig Beall, associate Professor in Experimental Diabetes, and Natasha MacDonald, PhD Candidate, biochemistry, both at the University of Exeter, and originally appeared in The Conversation.
