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Diabetes Triples Risk of Dementia in Some Older Adults

Some diabetic older adults who experience mild memory loss are three times more likely to develop dementia in the years ahead, according to British scientists.

A research team from the Alzheimer's Research Trust at King's College London linked the conditions while investigating how mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia are associated in seniors. Their findings are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Researchers tracked 61 people age 65 and older who had MCI for their four-year study. Of that total, 16 (26%) of the study participants had diabetes. However, after four years, 19 (31%) had developed dementia, two (3%) reverted to normal cognitive levels, and 40 (59%) remained stable and constant. Of the 19 who developed dementia, seven had diabetes.

"We have already seen a number of previous studies linking type 2 diabetes to cognitive impairment and dementia, and we already know that type 2 diabetes is considered to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease," said Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK.

"This study is interesting because it considers the association between type 2 diabetes and the progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia,” he added. "Although the number of participants in the study is quite small, the researchers have suggested that such a link exists."

Frame encouraged further research to determine methods to better identify those at particular risk of dementia and key treatment programs that address the link in diabetics and those with MCI.

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