Type 1 Diabetes Linked To Higher Dementia Risk, Study Finds

A US study published in the Neurology Journal has found that adults with type 1 diabetes face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to the general population.

The research tracked 284,000 participants with an average age of 64, including 5,442 individuals with type 1 diabetes and around 51,000 with type 2 diabetes, over an average follow-up of 2.4 years.

During this period, the study recorded 2,348 cases of dementia, including 144 among those with type 1 diabetes (2.6%), 942 among those with type 2 diabetes (1.8%), and 1,262 among non-diabetic participants (0.6%).

After accounting for factors such as age and education, the researchers found that type 1 diabetes increases the likelihood of developing dementia by up to three times, while type 2 diabetes raises the risk nearly twofold compared to non-diabetics.

Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition often diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, impairs insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and requires lifelong management through insulin injections or pumps and frequent blood sugar monitoring.

The study underscores the need for heightened attention to cognitive health in adults living with type 1 diabetes.

Researchers suggest that interventions focused on maintaining brain function could play a crucial role in preventing or delaying dementia.

While previous studies have established a link between type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline, this research highlights that type 1 diabetes may pose an even higher risk, signalling the importance of proactive strategies to support brain health as diabetic patients age.

Also Read: Father’s Nicotine Use May Raise Diabetes Risk In Children: Study