Alzheimer's may have diabetes link

Chicago -- U.S. researchers say poorly controlled diabetes may lead to Alzheimer's disease.

The study, presented this week at the American Diabetes Association's 67th Annual Scientific Sessions in Chicago, said diabetes may spur development of the amyloid protein present in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, WebMD said Wednesday.

"Insulin resistance and accompanying high levels of insulin in the blood increase the risk for late-life memory impairment and dementia, and our studies suggest specific mechanisms through which this risk may be elevated in people with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes," Suzanne Craft, a professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said in a news release.

The study found that improving insulin sensitivity also improved their memories.

Neurologist Sudha Seshadri of Boston University said diabetes may hasten the onset of clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease" because the brain goes downhill faster," she told WebMD. "But diabetes and Alzheimer's may share underlying genetic and pathophysiologic pathways. Diabetes may directly impact Alzheimer's prevalence."

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.