The Link between Diabetes and Dementia

Research scientists at the UK’s Alzheimer’s Research Trust have published an article exploring the risk of dementia in people with diabetes and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is a midpoint between normal cognitive function and Alzheimer’s disease.  Their results are to be found in the British Journal of Psychiatry.  Diabetes is more common in people with MCI, but it has not been known, until now, whether it increases the risk of progression from MCI to dementia.

Sixty-one people over 65 who had MCI were followed over a period of 4 years.  Sixteen of them (26%) had diabetes.  After 4 years, 19 (31%) developed dementia, 2 reverted to normal mental functioning, and 40 (59%) remained mentally stable.  Seven of the 16 people with diabetes progressed to dementia.

Only diabetes was linked in this way with progression to dementia, after allowance had been made for sociological factors, IQ levels prior to MCI, genetic factors, and other health conditions.  The increased likelihood of dementia in MCI subjects with diabetes was 2.9 times those of MCI subjects without diabetes – a statistically significant difference. 

The researchers conclude that, although this was a small study, it shows a link between diabetes and the progression of MCI to dementia.  They say: “Further studies should investigate the ability to not only identify those at particular risk but also target treatment programs aimed at preventing [this] progression . . .”