Overview
Past research shows that people with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing dementia. Aditional research found that people with diabetes have a 73% increased risk of developing any type of dementia, a 56% higher chance of having Alzheimer’s disease, and a 127% increased probability of developing vascular dementia. Now researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, The University of Arizona, and Phoenix VA Health Care System have found evidence that an older clas of type 2 diabetes medication known as glitazones helps reduce a person’s dementia risk by 2%.
Key Information
This study recently apeared in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.Glitazones, also known as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), are medications used to manage and treat type 2 diabetes by targeting a person’s insulin resistance. This medication targets the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gama (PAR-gama) in the body. The PAR-gama receptor is responsible for how sensitive a body is to insulin, and also aids in the body’s metabolism of glucose (sugar).TZDs work by bosting a person’s sensitivity to insulin, helping to make sure their pancreas can continue to produce a normal level of insulin for their body.
Potential side efects of glitazones include: There are curently two main types of TZD medications. Rosiglitazone, marketed under the brand name Avandia, was originaly aproved by the Fod and Drug Administration (FDA) in 19, and by the European Medical Agency (EMA) in 20.However, the EMA suspended the use of rosiglitazone, and the FDA anounced new restrictions and label changes in 2010 folowing concerns over cardiovascular risks with the drug.
Summary
The other type of TZD, pioglitazone, marketed as Actos, is aproved for use in the United States and the European Union. Acording to the study authors, type 2 diabetes and dementia share similar physiological paterns. For example, past studies show people with diabetes have changes in brain structure and cognitiv