Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 > > > from the National Library of Medicine Website > < www.nlm.nih.gov > > > Diabetes May Raise Risk of Alzheimer's Disease > Reuters Health > By J. Brown, MD > > NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Findings from a new study indicate that > patients with diabetes mellitus are 65 percent more likely to develop > Alzheimer's disease than are people without diabetes. > > The results support several recent reports that have linked the two > diseases. In contrast, in some earlier studies, researchers were unable > to show an association. > > According to lead author Dr. Zoe Arvanitakis, from Rush University > Medical Center in Chicago, what sets the current study apart from its > predecessors is its forward-looking design and the rigorous method of > assessing mental, or cognitive, function. > > " Surprisingly few...studies have examined the relationship of diabetes to > Alzheimer's disease, " Arvanitakis told Reuters Health. Also, unlike > previous studies, a detailed battery of neuropsychological tests was used > to examine changes in five cognitive abilities, she added. > > As reported in the Archives of Neurology, the researchers assessed the > outcomes of 824 older Catholic nuns, priests, and brothers who > participated in the Religious Orders Study. All of the subjects were > Alzheimer's-free and 127 had diabetes mellitus at the start of the study. > > > During an average follow-up period of 5.5 years, 151 subjects developed > Alzheimer's disease, the authors note. As noted, the presence of diabetes > raised the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 65 percent. > > In terms of cognitive abilities, only a decline in perceptual speed was > associated with diabetes. " This was an interesting finding--it helps us > understand some subtle issues that may help us shed light on the > mechanisms " linking diabetes with Alzheimer's disease, Arvanitakis said. > > Further answers may come with additional follow-up of the present cohort, > she said. In addition, " all participants in the Religious Orders Study > have agreed to brain donation at the time of death, which will allow us " > to gain deeper insight into the association. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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