A new study has revealed a concerning link between early-onset type 2 diabetes and a heightened risk of developing dementia later in life. Published in PLOS ONE, the research suggests that individuals diagnosed with diabetes before the age of 50 face a significantly higher likelihood of cognitive decline compared to those diagnosed later in life.
The study analyzed data from 1,213 American adults aged 50 and older who had type 2 diabetes but no prior history of dementia. Spanning from 2002 to 2016, the researchers tracked participants for up to 14 years. Of the cohort, 17.8% developed dementia during the study period.
Key findings indicated that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 50 were 1.9 times more likely to develop dementia than those diagnosed after the age of 70. The risk also remained elevated among those diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 59 (1.72 times higher) and 60 and 69 (1.7 times higher). For each year younger a person is at diagnosis, the risk of dementia increases by 1.9%, the study found.
The research also highlighted that individuals who were obese at the time of their diabetes diagnosis before 50 had the highest dementia risk.
“This study underscores the potential cognitive consequences of an earlier type 2 diabetes diagnosis and emphasizes the need for strategies to prevent dementia that address both diabetes and obesity,” said Xiang Qi, PhD, an assistant professor at NYU Meyers and the study’s lead author.
While it is well-established that type 2 diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia, the exact mechanisms behind this connection remain unclear. However, experts speculate that factors such as poor blood sugar control, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation contribute to neurodegenerative processes.
The study’s senior author, Bei Wu, PhD, a professor at NYU Meyers, explained that individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in mid-life may experience a range of complications, including vascular damage, which can increase the risk of cognitive impairment. Wu also pointed out that nearly 1 in 5 people under 40 worldwide now has type 2 diabetes, further highlighting the urgency of addressing the link between diabetes and dementia.
The findings call for a targeted approach to prevent dementia in younger adults with type 2 diabetes, particularly by addressing obesity through lifestyle changes or medications aimed at reducing obesity-related risks.
“We hope our findings help shape future interventions that focus on both age at diagnosis and obesity management to mitigate the long-term risks of dementia in those living with diabetes,” Wu added.
This study provides critical insight into the potential cognitive risks of early-onset type 2 diabetes, emphasizing the need for early intervention to reduce dementia risk in affected populations.
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