Regulation of Diabetes: a Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease?

Authors :: Ahn KC
Learman CR
Baker GB
Weaver CL
Chung PS
Kim HG
Song MS
Source :: Journal of Korean medical science [J Korean Med Sci] 2019 Dec 02; Vol. 34 (46), pp. e297. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Dec 02.
Publication Year :: 2019
Abstract: Accumulated evidence suggests that sporadic cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) make up more than 95% of total AD patients, and diabetes has been implicated as a strong risk factor for the development of AD. Diabetes shares pathological features of AD, such as impaired insulin signaling, increased oxidative stress, increased amyloid-beta (Aβ) production, tauopathy and cerebrovascular complication. Due to shared pathologies between the two diseases, anti-diabetic drugs may be a suitable therapeutic option for AD treatment. In this article, we will discuss the well-known pathologies of AD, including Aβ plaques and tau tangles, as well as other mechanisms shared in AD and diabetes including reactive glia and the breakdown of blood brain barrier in order to evaluate the presence of any potential, indirect or direct links of pre-diabetic conditions to AD pathology. In addition, clinical evidence of high incidence of diabetic patients to the development of AD are described together with application of anti-diabetic medications to AD patients.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.<br /> (© 2019 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.)