Middle Age Diabetics Increase Alzheimer’s Risk

Diabetics, including those who become diagnosed in middle age, have more than double the risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia later in life, new research shows. Those who got diabetes before the age of 65 were 125% more likely to acquire Alzheimer’s, Gatz said. Study results were published in last month’s issue of the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes.

“Our results highlighted the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle during adulthood in order to reduce the risk of dementia late in life,” said Dr. Margaret Gatz, director of the Study of Dementia in Swedish Twins.

Those who got diabetes before the age of 65 were 125% more likely to acquire Alzheimer’s, Gatz said. Study results were published in last month’s issue of the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes.