Alzheimer's Disease: Type 3 Diabetes
Diabetic Treatment Protects the Brain Against Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is actually a third form of diabetes. In other words, the same treatments used for diabetes can now be used for Alzheimer's.

Researchers have recently discovered that insulin shields the brain from toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease, proving that Alzheimer's may be a third form of diabetes.

In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn't make insulin. Tissue problems weakening insulin receptors cause Type 2 diabetes. 'Type 3' diabetes happens when insulin resistance happens in the brain. This resistance makes the brain more vulnerable to toxins that cause Alzheimer's basically, diabetes takes over the brain.

Several studies have indicated that diabetic patients are 'highly' more prone to developing Alzheimer's disease; it has been reported that diabetic patients who take insulin run a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's. Preventative measures for diabetes, such as a healthy diet and exercise, are also important in avoiding Alzheimer's.

Renowned Alzheimer's disease researcher William L Klein states that treatments to enhance insulin sensitivity in the brain could open up new treatments for Alzheimer's disease. "Sensitivity to insulin can decline with aging, which presents a novel risk factor for Alzheimer's disease," he explained, adding that, "our results demonstrate that bolstering insulin signaling [which reduces insulin resistance] can protect neurons [brain cells] from harm"

According to Sergio T Ferreira, a professor of biochemistry, recognizing that Alzheimer's disease is a type of brain diabetes points the way to novel discoveries that may finally result in disease-modifying treatments for this devastating disease.