Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal disorder that destroys brain cells causing memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. Major contributing factors that contribute to the onset of AD include:

• Advancing age
• Insulin resistance
• Hyperglycemia
• Inflammation
• Oxidative stress

Type 2 diabetes occurs as a result of insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and resulting hyperglycemia that lead to loss of downstream neuronal integrity and connectivity in the brain. As such, Alzheimer's disease is now accepted as CNS encephalopathy complication of type 2 diabetes.

Alzheimer's and diabetes are two diseases that are increasing at an alarming rate within the U.S. population. Up to 5.3 million Americans live with AD, in which 1 in 10 patients are over 65 years of age. Similarly, 7% or approximately 20 million Americans have diabetes, with the vast majority of these individuals being over 60. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that diabetic patients have a 30 - 65% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to non-diabetic individuals.

1. Encephalopathies: the emerging diabetic complications
2. Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease - Is there a Connection?
3. Alzheimer-Like Changes in Rat Models of Spontaneous Diabetes
4. Diabetic Models of Alzheimer's Disease