Researchers Link Type 2 Diabetes to Heightened Alzheimer’s Risk
Scientists at Texas A&M University have found evidence suggesting that there may be a link between Alzheimer’s disease risk and type 2 diabetes. This is backed by data from a separate study, which found that roughly 81% of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease also have type 2 diabetes.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. The disorder is also a common cause of dementia, accounting for at least 60% of dementia cases.
The scientists believe it’s possible that a high-fat diet may increase inflammation levels in the body, which could in turn heighten the risk of dementia. They presented their data at the annual American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology meeting.
For their study, the scientists used mice models to examine the relationship between the two illnesses. They traced a certain protein in the gut in order to determine how it affected processes in the brain, finding that the consumption of a high-fat diet suppressed the jak3 protein. They also observed that mice without the jak3 protein experienced inflammation in the intestine, which progressed to the liver and later, the brain. This later led to the development of Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.
In their findings, which are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, the scientists suggested that it could be possible to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s by avoiding or controlling type 2 diabetes. They quoted prior research, which indicates that diet influences diabetes development and severity, noting that this chronic illness had also been linked to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
The first author of the study, Narendra Kumar, stated that meta-analytic data showed a 56% heightened risk for Alzheimer’s disease among type 2 diabetes patients. Kumar, an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the institution, explained that diet and lifestyle could be major factors contributing to Alzheimer’s progress based on the link between lifestyle and diet with type 2 diabetes.
In their findings, the scientists noted that a healthy lifestyle and consuming a healthy diet may reverse this process and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. They also highlighted in their findings that the jak3 protein could cause a leaky gut, bringing about low-grade chronic inflammation and dementia-like symptoms reducing the brain’s ability to clear toxic substances.
A leaky gut allows bacteria and toxins to leak into the bloodstream from the intestines. The scientists believe that dealing with a leaky gut as well as inflammation is possible by controlling blood sugar and consuming a healthy diet.
For patients that have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, hope lies in companies such as Longeveron Inc. (NASDAQ: LGVN) that are working round the clock to develop effective treatments which can halt the progression of this progressive condition.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Longeveron Inc. (NASDAQ: LGVN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/LGVN
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
Scientists at Texas A&M University have found evidence suggesting that there may be a link between Alzheimer’s disease risk and type 2 diabetes. This is backed by data from a separate study, which found that roughly 81% of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease also have type 2 diabetes.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. The disorder is also a common cause of dementia, accounting for at least 60% of dementia cases.
The scientists believe it’s possible that a high-fat diet may increase inflammation levels in the body, which could in turn heighten the risk of dementia. They presented their data at the annual American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology meeting.
For their study, the scientists used mice models to examine the relationship between the two illnesses. They traced a certain protein in the gut in order to determine how it affected processes in the brain, finding that the consumption of a high-fat diet suppressed the jak3 protein. They also observed that mice without the jak3 protein experienced inflammation in the intestine, which progressed to the liver and later, the brain. This later led to the development of Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.
In their findings, which are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, the scientists suggested that it could be possible to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s by avoiding or controlling type 2 diabetes. They quoted prior research, which indicates that diet influences diabetes development and severity, noting that this chronic illness had also been linked to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
The first author of the study, Narendra Kumar, stated that meta-analytic data showed a 56% heightened risk for Alzheimer’s disease among type 2 diabetes patients. Kumar, an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the institution, explained that diet and lifestyle could be major factors contributing to Alzheimer’s progress based on the link between lifestyle and diet with type 2 diabetes.
In their findings, the scientists noted that a healthy lifestyle and consuming a healthy diet may reverse this process and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. They also highlighted in their findings that the jak3 protein could cause a leaky gut, bringing about low-grade chronic inflammation and dementia-like symptoms reducing the brain’s ability to clear toxic substances.
A leaky gut allows bacteria and toxins to leak into the bloodstream from the intestines. The scientists believe that dealing with a leaky gut as well as inflammation is possible by controlling blood sugar and consuming a healthy diet.
For patients that have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, hope lies in companies such as Longeveron Inc. (NASDAQ: LGVN) that are working round the clock to develop effective treatments which can halt the progression of this progressive condition.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Longeveron Inc. (NASDAQ: LGVN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/LGVN
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
