Breakthrough as study finds diabetes link to Alzheimer’s

HAVING Alzheimer’s disease could greatly increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, say scientists.

A breakthrough study by Aberdeen University found brain damage caused by dementia can also alter how the body handles glucose.

This is contrary to what was previously thought – that diabetes always begins with a malfunction in the pancreas or through an unhealthy diet.

The study is the first of its kind to show that Alzheimer’s can lead to diabetes.

It is hoped the discovery could mean medicines used for one illness can be used to treat and alleviate the other – and vice-versa.

The research, published in the journal Diabetologia, was led by Professor Bettina Platt and Professor Mirela Delibegovic, who wanted to establish why the two diseases are so commonly found together in elderly patients.

They discovered increased levels of a gene called BACE1 – which causes the formation of sticky toxic plaques in the brain – not only led to Alzheimer’s-like symptoms but also to diabetes.

Prof Platt said: “Around 80 per cent of people with Alzheimer’s disease also have some form of diabetes or disturbed glucose metabolism. This is hugely relevant.

Unhealthy

“Until now, we always assumed obese people get Type 2 diabetes and then are more likely to get dementia.

“We now show that actually it also works the other way around.

“Additionally, it was previously believed diabetes starts in the pancreas and liver often due to unhealthy diet.

“But here we show an abnormality in the brain can equally lead to development of very severe diabetes. The good news is that there are a number of new drugs we are testing to see if they would reverse both Alzheimer’s and diabetes symptoms.”

Dr Emily Burns, of Diabetes UK, said: “We know that having Type 2 diabetes can increase a person’s risk of dementia.

“But we don’t know why that link exists, or which condition might come first.

“This study is helping to unravel that complex question. While this could potentially help to combat the progression of both conditions, we are at a very early stage.”

Research shows Alzheimer’s is the prime health concern for over-55s.

There are 850,000 UK sufferers and by 2050 it will rise to two million.

One in three people born this year is expected to develop dementia.

A study at Imperial College London is looking at whether Type 2 diabetes drug liraglutide could also be used to prevent degeneration of brain cells caused by Alzheimer’s.