Diabetes medications can protect against dementia

New research suggests a possible link between diabetes medications and a reduced risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

According to a recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology, certain diabetes medications can significantly reduce the risk of diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease.

Diabetes medications and neuroprotection

The main focus of the study was on a class of diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors.

These gliflozins play an important role in maintaining blood sugar levels. They do this by stimulating the kidneys to excrete sugar from the body through urine.

Dr. Minyoung Lee from the Yonsei University College of Medicine in South Korea emphasized the importance of the research.

“We know that these neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson's are common and the number of cases is increasing as the population ages. Additionally, people with diabetes are at increased risk for cognitive impairment, so it is encouraging to see that this class of drugs may provide some protection,” said Dr. Lee.

Comparison of diabetes medications

The researchers took a retrospective approach and analyzed people in South Korea who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and started taking diabetes medications between 2014 and 2019.

Participants were divided into two groups. One group was given SGLT2 inhibitors, while the other received alternative oral diabetes medications.

Over a period of about two years for the SGLT2 group and four years for the other group, the researchers monitored whether the participants developed dementia or Parkinson's disease.

Incidence rates of dementia and Parkinson’s

Of the 358,862 participants, who were on average 58 years old, a total of 6,837 developed dementia or Parkinson's disease during the study period. The frequency of the disease was significantly different in the two groups.

For Alzheimer's disease, the incidence rate in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors was 39.7 cases per 10,000 person-years. In patients taking other diabetes medications, the incidence rate was 63.7 cases.

The incidence rate for vascular dementia was also significantly lower in the SGLT2 group (10.6) than in the group taking other diabetes medications (18.7). The incidence rate for Parkinson's disease was also lower in those treated with SGLT2 inhibitors (9.3) than in the other people (13.7).

Lower risk of dementia and Parkinson’s disease

After accounting for factors such as complications from diabetes and medications, researchers found that taking SGLT2 inhibitors correlated with a 20 percent reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as a 30 percent reduction in the risk of developing vascular dementia.

“The results are generally consistent, even after adjusting for factors such as blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and kidney function,” said Dr. Lee. “More research is needed to confirm the long-term validity of these findings.”

Because the participants were followed for less than five years, Dr. Lee pointed out that it is possible that some participants could still develop dementia or Parkinson's disease later in life.

Future research directions

This study opens the door to new possibilities not only in the treatment of diabetes, but also in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Given the aging population and the increasing number of dementia cases, these findings offer hope to patients and healthcare professionals.

Although the results are promising, experts point out that more research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on brain health.

Larger clinical trials and longer follow-up periods could help determine whether these drugs should play a more central role in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

In addition, researchers are investigating whether similar benefits can be observed in other diabetes treatments.

Diabetes medications and cognitive health

Diabetes management and cognitive health are closely linked because both high and low blood sugar levels can have significant effects on the brain. Over time, poor diabetes management can increase the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and other neurological problems.

Given the growing evidence that diabetes treatment is linked to cognitive health, this study highlights the importance of continued innovation in chronic disease management.

The possibility of using existing drugs for new therapeutic purposes remains an exciting area in medicine in the future.

The research was supported by the Korea Health Technology R&D Project, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, Severance Hospital, and Yonsei University College of Medicine.

The study was published in the journal neurology.

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