A study from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing reveals that individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age are at a significantly higher risk of developing dementia, especially if they are also obese. The research underscores the importance of early prevention strategies to address both diabetes and obesity to reduce this cognitive risk.
Published in PLOS ONE, the study highlights that adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 50 are at a much greater risk of developing dementia later in life compared to those diagnosed at older ages. This risk is notably amplified among those with obesity.
“Our findings suggest that early onset of type 2 diabetes may have long-term cognitive consequences,” said Xiang Qi, assistant professor at NYU Meyers and the study’s lead author. “This points to the need for strategies that target both diabetes and obesity to prevent dementia.”
Type 2 diabetes has long been known as a risk factor for dementia, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Experts believe that factors such as high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and inflammation associated with diabetes may contribute to the development of dementia.
With type 2 diabetes now more common among younger populations—one in five people with the disease globally is under 40—the study sought to understand how the age of diagnosis might affect dementia risk. The research team analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study, a long-term study by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, examining 1,213 U.S. adults aged 50 and older, all diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but without dementia at the start. Participants were followed for up to 14 years, with 216 individuals developing dementia during that time.
The study found that those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age had a higher likelihood of developing dementia. Specifically, those diagnosed before age 50 were 1.9 times more likely to develop dementia than those diagnosed at age 70 or older. The risk decreased with age at diagnosis, with individuals diagnosed between ages 50 and 59 being 1.72 times as likely, and those diagnosed between 60 and 69 being 1.7 times as likely.
The researchers also found that for every year younger a person was at diagnosis, their risk of dementia increased by 1.9%. “Earlier diagnosis of diabetes may lead to more vascular complications, poor blood sugar control, and insulin resistance—well-established risk factors for cognitive decline,” said Bei Wu, the senior author of the study and professor at NYU Meyers.
Obesity, particularly in younger individuals diagnosed with diabetes, was found to further increase the risk of dementia. The study’s authors emphasize that this greater understanding of the relationship between diabetes, obesity, and dementia could help guide preventive strategies, such as targeted interventions for weight management.
“Preventing dementia in younger adults with diabetes may require addressing obesity directly, possibly through lifestyle changes, exercise, or medication,” Wu said.
This research highlights the urgent need for tailored approaches to combat dementia risks associated with early type 2 diabetes diagnoses, particularly among those who are also obese.
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