Focus on the Correlations between Alzheimer's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: In the last decades, both diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease are constantly increasing. Affected individuals, therefore, represent an enormous problem for the society, governments and global organizations. These diseases are usually considered as independent conditions, but increasing evidence shows that there are links between these two disorders.

Methods: In this review, we analyzed common features present in Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus, showing how these two diseases are strictly correlated to each other.

Results: Some pathogenetic factors are shared by Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease: chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, adiponectin deficiency, different expression of plasma cholinesterase activity and vascular damage could represent a possible explanation for the coexistence of these two conditions in many patients.

Conclusion: A better understanding of this issue and an appropriate management of diabetes by means of physical activity, low fat diet, and drugs to achieve a good glycemic control, avoiding both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, can represent a way to prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Hyperglycemia; Insulin resistance; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; chronic inflammation; neurodegenerative disorder..