Diabetes in Mid-Life May Raise Dementia Risk

A Swedish twin study involving over 13,000 individuals aged 65+ revealed a powerful link between mid-life diabetes and the later development of dementia. Interestingly, the risk was significantly higher when diabetes began in mid-life rather than late life.

Why? Possible mechanisms include insulin resistance, vascular damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress—all of which impair brain function. This study also suggests that environmental and lifestyle factors, not just genes, explain this elevated risk.

Preventive Tip: 

Managing blood sugar levels in mid-life may help prevent cognitive decline later on.

Source:

Xu W et al. "Mid- and late-life diabetes in relation to the risk of dementia: a population-based twin study." Diabetes, 2009. PMCID: PMC2606895