Do anti-diabetes drugs protect against Alzheimer’s?
Certain drugs used to lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes appear to help reduce the production of amyloid in the brain, a well-known biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the consumption of such drugs also seems to slow down cognitive decline.
Drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and used to treat type 2 diabetes can help protect people from the formation of amyloid in the brain and cause slower cognitive decline. This was determined by experts with the participation of the Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul in a current study, the results of which were published in the English-language journal “Neurology“Were published.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for controlling blood pressure
In people with type 2 diabetes, the body can no longer use insulin efficiently to control blood sugar. So-called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (gliptins) are prescribed to those affected when other measures and drugs are not effective, the researchers explain. Get those gliptins healthier with you nourishment and Move combined, they help control blood sugar.
People with diabetes are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s
“It has been shown that people with diabetes are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease, possibly due to the high blood sugar levels associated with the formation of amyloid beta in the brain,” said study author Dr. Phil Hyu Lee from Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea.
Less amyloid thanks to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors
“Our study not only showed that people who take dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors to lower blood sugar levels have less amyloid overall in their brains, but they also have less amyloid in the regions of the brain that are involved in Alzheimer’s disease “Adds the expert.
For the new study, 282 people with an average age of 76 years were examined and medically monitored for up to six years. All participants were diagnosed with either preclinical, early or probable Alzheimer’s disease. A total of 70 of these people had diabetes and were being treated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, 71 had diabetes but were not treated with these drugs, and 141 were not on Diabetes ill.
All participants without diabetes were compared with those with diabetes in terms of age, gender and level of education. According to the experts, the results of the cognitive tests of these two groups were similar at the beginning of the study.
The participants were also given brain scans to measure the amount of amyloid in the brain. The team found that people with diabetes who took the drugs had, on average, lower levels of amyloid plaques in their brains than people with diabetes who did not take such drugs and people who did not have diabetes.
Thinking and memory have been studied for years
All participants underwent a general thinking and memory test every twelve months for an average of 2.5 years, which is known as the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and in which the possible score ranges from 0 to 30.
How much did the participants lose in one year?
The researchers found that people with diabetes who took the medication suffered an average annual deterioration in their MMSE value of 0.87 points. In contrast, people with diabetes who did not take these drugs suffered an average annual deterioration of 1.65 points. In people without diabetes, the average annual decrease was 1.48 points.
Slower decline in MMSE test
Finally, after considering various other factors that could affect test results, the team found that those who took the drug declined 0.77 points per year more slowly than those who took the drug did not take.
Better protection from diabetes medication
The “results (…) suggest that these drugs could also be of use for people without diabetes who have problems with thinking and memory,” sums up study author Dr. Lee in one Press release. However, more research is needed to clearly demonstrate that these drugs are associated with neuroprotective properties in all humans.
Regarding possible limitations, the team pointed out that no data was available for the new study that would have shown the accumulation of amyloid in the brains of the participants over time. The study also only shows a connection and does not prove cause or effect. (as)
Author and source information
This text complies with the requirements of specialist medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Swell:
- Seong Ho Jeong, Hye Ryun Kim, Jeonghun Kim, Hankyeol Kim, Namki Hong, et al.: Association of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Use and Amyloid Burden in Diabetic Patients With AD-Related Cognitive Impairment; in: Neurology (veröffentlicht 11.08.2021), Neurology
- American Academy of Neurology: Do some diabetes drugs reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s? (veröffentlicht 11.08.2021), American Academy of Neurology
Important NOTE:
This article is for general guidance only and is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
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