Alzheimer's Could Be a Third Form of Diabetes

Atzanteol writes "Insulin, it turns out, may be as important for the mind as it is for the body. Research in the last few years has raised the possibility that Alzheimer's memory loss could be due to a novel third form of diabetes. Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered why brain insulin signaling — crucial for memory formation — would stop working in Alzheimer's disease."

Comments

Avoid Alazheimers

[maroberts]

Be conscientious!!

Suggestions for who is at risk follow.... :-)

Hmm

[ShakaUVM]

At Best Buy the other day (hate the store, but no Fry's around here), saw that they were selling "Alzheimer" brand memory sticks.

While I understand (upon doing a double take and inspecting the package) that it is meant to support an Alzheimer association, I can't help but think that it's not a good marketing combination.

That said, I have diabetes from one grandfather and Alzheimers from my grandma, both of my dad's parents... crap.

Re:Hmm

[stranger_to_himself]

You're right, it is hard. Especially because of the link between low education, underlying intelligence and subsequent occupation and lifestyle. Also, as you point out, the instruments for detecting cognitive decline must be sensitive to eduction, and one current method is to use a educationally-adjusted cut-off on the cognition scales.

Having said all of this the evidence for a link to education after taking all of the above into account is pretty compelling and is no longer disputed. The mechanism for this though is still unclear, and there's certainly no evidence that playing 'brain training' games can in any way make up for it. The current best theory that we have is that people who are better educated have better 'cognitive reserve', by which we mean the ability for the brain to re-wire itself and compensate when a disease like AD occurs.

Re:I hope not... I'm getting tired of diabetes new

[StrawberryFrog]

That's like saying "I smoke 20 a day, and I don't have cancer" ... yet. But you have increased your risk of getting it. A lot.

Re:I hope not... I'm getting tired of diabetes new

[Anonymous Coward]

There's a warning on all drinks that contain a source of phenylalanine, in the UK at least.

The warning's in the US too. The reason for it is because of a genetic mutation that makes some people unable to metabolize the stuff properly, otherwise, it's considered an essential amino acid, although it's primary role in humans is to produce tyrosine, which could be obtained directly from diet.

Re:The Bleeding edge of Alzheimer's research

[stox]

Eli Lily's LY450139, and Wyeth/Elan's Bapineuzamab, are working on trial protocols, and should be starting phase III trials in the next few months. Calling their headquarters may provide information on how to apply for the trials. You may also be able to find information at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/