Type 2 diabetes and depression may increases dementia risk

[DCUK NewsBot]

Adults with type 2 diabetes or depression have an increased risk of developing dementia, especially if they have both conditions, a new study suggests. Over 2.4 million people in Denmark, aged 50 or older, were examined by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSM), United States. 19 per cent of the participants had depression, nine per cent had type 2 diabetes, and roughly four per cent had diabetes and depression. The other participants had neither condition. Among those who developed depression over the six-year study period - which was around 2.4 per cent - over 26 per cent had depression, 11 per cent had type 2 and seven per cent had both conditions. The researchers observed that people with type 2 diabetes had a 20 per cent increased risk of dementia compared to those without diabetes or depression. This risk was increased to 80 per cent for people with depression. Preventing dementia Lead author Dr. Dimitry Davydow, UWSM, reported that while factors such as aging and genetic risk factors cannot stop dementia developing, "diabetes and depression are things that we can do something about." "Individuals with diabetes and/or depression are most certainly not powerless to avoid dementia in later life," Davydow said. "I think it is important to point out that arguably the best treatment available for dementia is to prevent it from developing since we don't have any treatments currently that either greatly improve quality of life for patients with dementia or reverse the course of the disease," he said. Davydow hypothesised that diabetes may affect blood supply to the brain, which could contribute to the onset of dementia. His team now want to investigate why diabetes increases the risk of dementia, especially when combined with depression. The results of this study were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Continue reading...

 

[Erin]

... "Davydow hypothesised that diabetes may affect blood supply to the brain, which could contribute to the onset of dementia. His team now want to investigate why diabetes increases the risk of dementia, especially when combined with depression. The results of this study were published in JAMA Psychiatry."

What if you have a type of depression which is successfully treated? It seems to me that the brain is dependent on glucose and the right amount, but the combination of depression leading to dementia types is curious.

 

[Kristy789]

Hi, My mother who is 79 now is a dementia patient since few months. She had diabetes on her early 40's. The worst fact is, she undergoes through great depression and doesn't follow her proper appetite whenever she is alone at home. Due to my tight work schedules, i may not be available with her all the time. A friend of mine has adviced me to appoint a caregiver from a reputed health care service provider (http://www.c-care.ca/services/hospital-facility-private-care/ )in Toronto who can assist my mother in her day-to-day task and appetite intake in my absence.