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Diabetes Therapies for Dementia

Chris Moran1,2,3,4, Michele L Callisaya1,4, Velandai Srikanth1,2,4

  • 1Peninsula Clinical School, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston, VIC, 3199, Australia.

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|July 14, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) medications may impact brain health, but human studies show conflicting results. More research is needed to determine if T2D drugs can prevent or manage dementia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a known risk factor for dementia.
  • Shared pathophysiology between T2D and dementia suggests potential therapeutic overlap.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review scientific data on using T2D medications for dementia risk reduction or management.
  • To evaluate the potential of T2D drugs to benefit brain health in individuals with and without T2D.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature and human studies.
  • Analysis of observational data and preliminary findings on specific T2D medications.

Main Results:

  • Laboratory research suggests T2D medications may benefit brain health.
  • Human studies are largely observational with conflicting outcomes.
  • Intranasal insulin, metformin, and GLP-1 agonists show preliminary promise but lack confirmatory evidence.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence does not support repurposing T2D medications for dementia prevention or treatment.
  • Further research is essential to draw definitive conclusions on T2D drugs and dementia.
Keywords:
DementiaDrugsType 2 diabetes

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