Medication for diabetes aids in dementia prevention

As we age many functions of the body begin to decline. One function, in particular, is our memory. But losing our memory doesn’t have to be a part of aging and yet dementia diagnoses are on the rise.

Dementia is considered one of the major causes of disability among the elderly. Nearly 40-million people worldwide suffer from dementia. The disease has a physical, psychological, social and economic impact on those who have it. If you have been touched by dementia or know someone who has, you know how important it is to prevent.

Germans uncover dementia risk reducer

Neurologists in Germany have discovered that the diabetes drug pioglitazone can reduce the risk of developing dementia. An in-depth analysis, which included data on diseases and medications taken from a German public health insurance company, helped researchers draw their conclusion. They evaluated health information of 145,000 people aged 60 and older.

Two diabetes drugs; pioglitazone and metformin appeared to reduce the risk of developing dementia; however, pioglitazone results were as one neurologist put it, “remarkable.” The study showed that the risk of developing dementia if you were taking pioglitazone for diabetes was about 47 percent lower than in non-diabetics.

How the diabetes medication works

Pioglitazone enables the body to become more sensitive to insulin. It acts as an anti-inflammatory as well, inhibiting the deposit of harmful proteins in the brain. Laboratory tests have indicated that it can also protect nerve cells.

The German neurologists say their analysis suggests the drug has strong prevention ability when it is taken before symptoms of dementia appear.

Prevention of diabetes comes first

Type-2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects the way our body handles glucose. Eating healthy and taking part in regular physical activity is the best way to reduce your risk of getting diabetes. If you do end up with the disease, medication is likely. Pioglitazone is a common treatment, but there are potential side effects so it is important to learn as much as you can before taking it.

The neurologists in Germany want to know more about how the medication works so well in reducing risk. They said it would be worth studying the impact of the drug on non-diabetics, and looking at other anti-diabetic medication.

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Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150623114008.htm
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.24439/abstract;jsessionid=10EABB83BEF86E30B0AA30CB9185056F.f02t02
https://www.dzne.de/en/about-us/public-relations/meldungen/2015/press-release-no-8.html
http://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs362/en/