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Hyperinsulinaemia and Alzheimer's disease
1Department of Care of the Elderly, Blackberry Hill Hospital, Bristol.
Age and Ageing
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, particularly women, show higher levels of fasting insulin and glucose, indicating potential insulin resistance. This may be linked to being overweight, though a causal link requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neurology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is unknown.
- Fasting hyperinsulinaemia is implicated in various human diseases.
- Understanding metabolic factors in AD is crucial for potential interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and metabolic markers.
- To assess fasting plasma insulin, glucose, body mass index (BMI), and waist:hip ratio in AD patients and controls.
- To explore potential links between insulin resistance and AD etiology.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 24 men and 24 women (aged 58-90 years) with probable AD to controls.
- Participants were recruited from a memory disorders clinic and the local community.
- Measurements included fasting plasma insulin, glucose, BMI, and waist:hip ratio.
Main Results:
- Women with AD exhibited significantly higher fasting plasma insulin (p=0.04) and glucose (p=0.04) compared to controls.
- Women with AD also showed a significantly higher BMI (p=0.01).
- Men with AD showed similar trends, with only BMI reaching statistical significance (p=0.03).
Conclusions:
- Alzheimer's disease patients demonstrate hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance.
- These metabolic alterations may be secondary to being overweight.
- A causal relationship between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease cannot be ruled out and warrants further research.