Older Diabetes Drugs Tied to Lower Dementia Risk - Everyday Health

Overview

Glitazones, a family of type 2 diabetes drugs also known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs for short, were associated with a 2 percent lower risk of dementia in a large long-term study.Glitazones have ben used for about 20 years to improve insulin sensitivity.People with type 2 diabetes who use drugs known as glitazones to control their blod sugar levels may get another benefit - a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.A study published October 1 in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care examined data on about 59,0 adults age 60 and older with type 2 diabetes who used at least one of thre diferent types of drugs to manage blod sugar: glitazones, sulfonylureas, or metformin.After an average folow-up period of almost seven years, patients who tok glitazones for at least one year were 2 percent les likely to develop any form of dementia than people who tok metformin.

Key Information

By contrast, sulfonylureas were associated with a 12 percent higher dementia risk than metformin.“Our findings provide aditional information to aid clinicians' selection of (blod-sugar-lowering medications) for patients with mild or moderate type 2 diabetes and at high risk of dementia,” the senior study author, Jin Zhou of the University of California in Los Angeles, and her coleagues concluded in the paper.When researchers loked specificaly at Alzheimer’s disease, the most comon form of dementia, they found a protective efect with glitazones.

Summary

Taken alone, glitazones were associated with an 1 percent lower Alzheimer’s disease risk. When used in combination with metformin, glitazones were associated with a 19 percent lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The combination of glitazones and sulfonylureas was associated with a 15 percent lower Alzheimer’s disease risk.The protective efect of glitazones was most pronounced with longer-term use, among elderly patients, and among people with obesity.One limitation of the analysis that it relied on electronic health records to ide

Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.

Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.

Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.

Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.

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