Type 2 diabetes is a common condition where the body either resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it. This leads to high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood, which, over time, can damage various organs, including the brain.
The condition often develops in adulthood, but it can also affect children. Risk factors include obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, family history, and related health conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
One concerning link is between type 2 diabetes and dementia. Research shows that people with type 2 diabetes are about twice as likely to develop dementia, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, compared to those without diabetes.
This connection is not fully understood, but scientists believe high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and inflammation from diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerve cells in the brain, contributing to cognitive decline.
However, a recent study from Sunnybrook Research Institute offers some hope. Researchers found that a type of diabetes medication called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may reduce the risk of dementia in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
This class of drugs was associated with a 20% lower risk of dementia compared to another diabetes medication known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors.
SGLT2 inhibitors help lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove excess sugar through urine. In contrast, DPP4 inhibitors work by preserving a hormone that helps produce insulin. While both drugs are effective for managing diabetes, this study suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors may also offer protective effects for the brain.
The research analyzed health records from over 106,000 people aged 66 and older in Ontario, Canada. None of the participants had dementia when they started taking either SGLT2 or DPP4 inhibitors.
Over nearly three years, researchers tracked new cases of dementia through hospital diagnoses, multiple physician claims for dementia, or prescriptions for medications used to slow cognitive decline.
The findings showed that people taking SGLT2 inhibitors had a significantly lower chance of developing dementia compared to those taking DPP4 inhibitors. Scientists believe these drugs might influence early biological changes linked to dementia, helping to protect the brain before symptoms appear.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental abilities severe enough to affect daily life. It includes symptoms like memory loss, confusion, communication difficulties, and personality changes.
While it is not a single disease, dementia can result from various brain disorders. It is progressive, meaning symptoms worsen over time, and currently, there is no cure.
Treatment for dementia focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Options may include medications to slow disease progression, as well as therapies like occupational, physical, or speech therapy. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and staying socially active, can also help.
The study’s authors, led by Walter Swardfager and published in Diabetes Care, hope to further explore how diabetes medications might protect the brain. They are particularly interested in another class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which have shown potential for brain health benefits.
For now, the results highlight the importance of personalized treatment for type 2 diabetes, particularly in older adults. The choice of medication may not only help control blood sugar but also reduce the risk of serious complications like dementia.
Caregivers and families play a vital role in supporting individuals with dementia, helping them manage symptoms and maintain a good quality of life. Although there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, a combination of medication, therapy, and healthy lifestyle habits can make a meaningful difference.
This study provides hope for people with type 2 diabetes and raises awareness about the potential benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors beyond blood sugar control.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and extra-virgin olive oil could boost brain function.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and strawberries could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
