Cheap diabetes drugs could halve your risk of Alzheimer’s
Despite the gloomy forecasts, green sprouts are appearing. Researchers continue to find ways to reduce the risk of a mind-bending condition. A new study has identified a cheap drug that could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease overall by 54 percent.
Between a healthy diet and regular exercise, there are various lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of developing dementia.
However, research suggests a new candidate that could be added to your arsenal of defenses against a mind-destroying condition.
A study published in the journal Neurology found that a cheap pill taken by millions of diabetics could “doubling” the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Affordable tablets costing around 30p each could be a game-changer, scientists say.
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Actos, medically known as pioglitazone, can help slow mental deterioration by dramatically lowering brain health indicators.
Pioglitazone is currently used to control blood sugar levels by increasing levels of the hormone insulin.
Lead author Dr Eosu Kim from Yonsei University in South Korea said: “Because dementia develops years before diagnosis, it may be possible to intervene before it progresses.”
The benefits associated with the pills were strongest for those who also had a history of stroke or coronary heart disease.
These patients were 43% and 54% less likely to develop dementia, respectively.
Moreover, this amount was calculated after taking into account potentially aggravating factors such as high blood pressure, smoking and physical activity.
Overall, the incidence of dementia among participants who were prescribed the drug fell by 16 percent.
Interestingly, the longer patients took pioglitazone, the lower their risk was.
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The research team reported that the risk was reduced by 22 and 37 percent in people who used the drug for two and four years, respectively.
The results of the study were based on data from 91,218 people in South Korea who were followed for an average of ten years, with 3,467 participants taking pioglitazone.
However, the results of the study show that only people with diabetes can reap this benefit.
Dr. Kim said: “These results provide valuable insight into who could potentially benefit from the use of pioglitazone for the prevention of dementia.
“In some previous studies of people with dementia or at risk of cognitive decline who did not have diabetes, pioglitazone did not show any protection against dementia.
“So it’s probably the critical factor influencing performance that you have diabetes. More research is needed to confirm these results.”
Plus, the small pill isn’t without potential side effects, with users reporting edema, weight gain, bone loss, and congestive heart failure.
The team added that more research is currently needed that will focus on the long-term safety of the drug as well as the optimal dose.
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