By Annette R. Karnash, R.N., M.N.
Having diabetes appears to be linked to a 65% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. A study of data from the Religious Orders Study of Catholic nuns, priests and brothers analyzed the relationship between Alzheimer’s and Diabetes for 5 years. Eight hundred and twenty four participants underwent periodic neurophysiogical testing of cognitive systems including general knowledge working memory, perceptual speed and recognition of spatial patterns. One hundred and fifty one participants developed Alzheimer’s, including 31 with diabetes, a 65% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s for those with diabetes compared to those without diabetes.
Knowing that diabetes is associated with vascular diseases that affect the brain and thinking, is this connection a vascular process? Knowing also that diabetes increases atherosclersclerosis and cholesterol and that high cholesterol aggravates Alzheimer’s, could it be a cause and effect relationship or simply an association?
