Impact of type 2 diabetes on the onset of Alzheimer's disease in the elderly population

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) were recognised as two chronic pathologies whose prevalence has increased significantly in recent decades, especially in countries such as Argentina. Various investigations showed that DM2 acted as a possible risk factor for the development of AD. Epidemiological studies, such as the Rotterdam Study, showed that people with DM2 had up to twice the risk of suffering from dementia compared to the non-diabetic population. The mechanisms involved included insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and cerebral vascular damage, all of them associated with neurodegenerative processes. In the Argentinian context, the health panorama was complicated by the ageing of the population and the sustained increase in chronic non-communicable diseases. It was estimated that 1 in 10 adults had diabetes, and a high percentage were unaware of their condition, making early intervention difficult. Likewise, the prevalence of dementia in people over 65 years of age reached 12.2%, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form. This situation generated a significant burden for the health system and families, due to the complexity of care and the increase in functional dependence in old age. Strategies to address this problem included early detection, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, health education and the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance. The relationship between DM2 and AD posed a new challenge for public health, requiring comprehensive and sustained responses.