Alzheimer’s Disease as Type 3 Diabetes: Understanding the Link and Implications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two prevalent conditions that present considerable public health issue in aging populations worldwide. Recent research has proposed a novel conceptualization of AD as “type 3 diabetes”, highlighting the critical roles of insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism in the pathogenesis of the disease. This article examines the implications of this association, exploring potential new avenues for treatment and preventive strategies for AD. Key evidence linking diabetes to AD emphasizes critical metabolic processes that contribute to neurodegeneration, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and alterations in insulin signaling pathways. Understanding AD as a manifestation of diabetes opens up the possibility of employing novel therapeutic strategies that incorporate lifestyle modifications and the use of antidiabetic medications to mitigate cognitive decline. This integrated approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and deepen the comprehension of the intricate relationship between neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders.

The common risk factors for the appearance of both AD and T2DM include persistent oxidative stress, obesity, and hypertension. Mechanisms behind the potential link between those two diseases include impaired glucose metabolism and enzymatic pathways, insulin resistance, and elevated inflammation. Consequently, AD is characterized as a metabolic disorder that potentially triggers brain insulin resistance, leading to a cascade of harmful effects including neuronal damage, neurotoxin/Aβ deposition, and neurodegenerative processes.

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Kciuk, M.; Kruczkowska, W.; Gałęziewska, J.; Wanke, K.; Kałuzińska-Kołat, Ż.; Aleksandrowicz, M.; Kontek, R. Alzheimer’s Disease as Type 3 Diabetes: Understanding the Link and Implications. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 11955. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252211955