HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Aug. 12, 2021 (HealthDay Information) — Older adults who take sure diabetes medication may even see a slower decline of their reminiscence and pondering abilities, a brand new examine suggests.
Researchers in South Korea discovered that amongst older individuals who’d been having reminiscence points, these utilizing diabetes medication referred to as DDP-4 inhibitors sometimes confirmed a slower development in these signs over the subsequent few years. That was in contrast with each diabetes-free older adults and people taking different diabetes drugs.
Folks on DDP-4 inhibitors additionally confirmed smaller quantities of the “plaques” that construct up within the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Consultants cautioned that the findings don’t show the medication can stop or delay dementia.
To try this, researchers would wish to conduct clinical trials that instantly take a look at the drugs, mentioned Dr. Howard Fillit, chief science officer for the nonprofit Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Basis in New York Metropolis.
However, he mentioned, the examine provides to proof that sure current drugs — together with some for diabetes or high blood pressure — could possibly be “repurposed” for shielding the getting old mind.
The truth is, different diabetes drugs, equivalent to metformin and GLP-1 agonists, are already being studied for slowing down declines in reminiscence and pondering abilities.
There was much less analysis, Fillit mentioned, into DDP-4 inhibitors — which embrace oral drugs like sitagliptin (Januvia), linagliptin (Tradjenta), saxagliptin (Onglyza) and alogliptin (Nesina). They share a similarity with GLP-1 agonists, in that they act on the identical “pathway” within the physique.
Fillit defined that DDP-4 inhibitors work by boosting blood ranges of GLP-1, a intestine hormone that stimulates insulin launch. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
Folks with diabetes are immune to insulin, which ends up in chronically excessive blood sugar ranges. Some research have discovered that individuals with Alzheimer’s even have issues with insulin resistance — and researchers have speculated which will contribute to the mind degeneration seen within the illness.
However Fillit mentioned that diabetes drugs may need results past enhancing insulin resistance.
Animal analysis has recommended DDP-4 inhibitors can cut back mind irritation and defend mind cells from Alzheimer’s-like damage.
For the present examine, researchers led by Dr. Phil Hyu Lee of Yonsei College School of Medication in Seoul reviewed the circumstances of 282 sufferers who had come to their clinic with complaints about their reminiscence and pondering talents. Mind scans had proven all had proof of amyloid — the protein that makes up Alzheimer’s-related plaques.
Of these sufferers, half had diabetes: 70 have been taking a DDP-4 inhibitor, and 71 have been utilizing different diabetes medication, most frequently metformin and sulfonylureas.
On common, the researchers discovered, sufferers on DDP-4 inhibitors had much less amyloid buildup than both the diabetes-free sufferers or these on different diabetes drugs. And over the subsequent few years, in addition they confirmed a slower decline on checks of reminiscence and pondering.
The findings have been revealed on-line Aug. 11 within the journal Neurology.
Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer’s Affiliation, burdened that the examine can’t show DDP-4 inhibitors decelerate the dementia course of.
One of many examine’s limitations, she famous, is that sufferers’ amyloid ranges have been solely measured at the beginning. So it isn’t clear whether or not these on DDP-4 inhibitors had a slower accumulation of mind plaques over time.
It is well-known, Carrillo mentioned, that individuals with diabetes have the next threat of growing Alzheimer’s than these with out diabetes — although the explanations usually are not absolutely clear, she added.
Insulin resistance, in addition to excessive blood sugar, might partly clarify it, in line with the Alzheimer’s Affiliation. Carrillo famous that this examine didn’t take a look at sufferers’ long-term blood sugar management — and whether or not that had any position of their charges of decline over time.
“There may be some rationale for these diabetes medication in individuals with Alzheimer’s,” Carrillo mentioned.
However like Fillit, she mentioned solely randomized scientific trials — the place sufferers are randomly assigned to take a DDP-4 inhibitor or not — can show whether or not there are advantages.
One query for future research, Fillit mentioned, is whether or not DDP-4 inhibitors can gradual psychological decline in individuals with out diabetes, or solely these with the illness.
As a result of Alzheimer’s is so advanced, Fillit mentioned it’s doubtless that medicine combos — geared toward completely different mechanisms behind the illness — will show simplest at treating or stopping the illness.
Each of the nonprofits encourage individuals to eat a nutritious diet, train, keep away from smoking and interact in mentally stimulating actions to assist hold their our bodies and minds in fine condition as they age.
Extra data
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Basis has extra on protecting brain health.
SOURCES: Maria Carrillo, PhD, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Affiliation, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Basis, New York Metropolis; Neurology, on-line, Aug. 11, 2021
