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World J Diabetes. Dec 15, 2014; 5(6): 889-893
Published online Dec 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i6.889
Published online Dec 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i6.889
Type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease
Mario Barbagallo, Ligia J Dominguez, Geriatric Unit, Department DIBIMIS, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Author contributions: Barbagallo M and Dominguez LJ provided substantial contributions to conception, drafting the article, revising it critically for important intellectual content, and final approval of the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Mario Barbagallo, MD, Professor, Geriatric Unit, Department DIBIMIS, University of Palermo, Via del vespro, 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy. mario.barbagallo@unipa.it
Telephone: +39-091-6552885 Fax: +39-091-6552952
Received: August 12, 2014
Revised: October 17, 2014
Accepted: October 31, 2014
Published online: December 15, 2014
Processing time: 123 Days and 18.3 Hours
Revised: October 17, 2014
Accepted: October 31, 2014
Published online: December 15, 2014
Processing time: 123 Days and 18.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Epidemiological and biological evidences support a link between type 2 diabetes (DM2) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Persons with diabetes have increased incidence of cognitive decline and AD. Increased cortical and subcortical atrophy is present after controlling for vascular disease and inadequate cerebral circulation. Recent studies confirmed the role of insulin as possible link between DM2 and AD. Altered insulin signaling may contribute to AD biochemical and histopathological lesions. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia also have deleterious effects on cognitive function. Future trials would clarify the mechanistic link, and if cognitive decline may be prevented by an adequate metabolic control, and avoiding hypoglycemia.