Researchers May Have Discovered a Link Between Dementia and Diabetes

Feb 6
08:36

2009

Peter Kent

Peter Kent

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A recent study has uncovered a potential link between the onset of diabetes and the development of dementia later on in life. The study focused on the level of a patient's dementia, which appeared to be affected by the level of diabetes a patient had previously suffered from.

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Scientists have determined that an increase of vascular disease,Researchers May Have Discovered a Link Between Dementia and Diabetes Articles often associated with diabetes patients, rather than Alzheimer's disease may be associated with the onset of dementia, according to research published in a recent issue of the Archives of Neurology. Researchers at the University of Washington recently discovered the potential link between diabetes and dementia through the analysis of a recent study.

The scientists studied autopsy findings of various patients who were both treated and untreated for diabetes. "There were more microvascular infarcts" among patients that had been diagnosed than those who did not receive treatment for such a conditions, according to news reports.

However, patients who were under-treated for their diabetes condition actually showed a difference in dementia levels from their diabetic-treated counterparts.

Additionally, of the 196 autopsy reports conducted, approximately 71 of the patients suffered from dementia and of those patients, approximately 59 patients also suffered from diabetes and received treatment for their condition, according to news reports. While researchers were unable to make a substantial link between the development of diabetes and the onset of dementia, the association between the status of diabetes and the level of dementia has been discovered to be much stronger than previous research.

Developing Dementia

According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "dementia is a word for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain and dementia is not actually considered a specific disease." Dementia is often associated with the following signs and symptoms:

* recent memory loss

* difficulty performing familiar tasks

* problems with language

* time and place disorientation

* poor judgement

* problems with abstract thinking

* misplacing things

* changes in mood

* personality changes

* loss of initiative

It is advisable for patients who may be suffering from dementia to speak with a medical professional as well as to include their family, friends or caretakers in making a decision based on the severity of their condition.

Diabetes Drug Dangers

While there are an array of prescription drugs for diabetes that are available to regulate glucose or insulin levels within the body as well as injectable forms of insulin, including Byetta, there are also several dangers commonly associated with the consumption of a variety of these drugs including Byetta.

In mid-2005, Byetta, also known as exenatide, became available for manufacture from Eli Lilly and Company and Amylin Pharmaceuticals. The drug has been associated with severe Byetta side effects including the onset of pancreatitis among patients. The drug is an injectable form of medication used to treat non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetics.

According to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report, in October 2007 several patients were found to have developed pancreatic inflammation -- all of whom were consuming the drug. Six patients were again hospitalized in August 2008 for pancreatitis and inflammation of the pancreas. Of the six patients who were hospitalized, two were deemed fatal as a result of the Byetta-induced pancreatic conditions. Because of the Byetta dangers it may be necessary to contact a pharmaceutical attorney and obtain a free legal consultation on the details surrounding a Byetta class action lawsuit, which may earn a victim monetary compensation for the damages incurred.

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