Research on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) drugs has revealed their potential in alleviating symptoms within Alzheimer’s disease patients, according to a report by GBI Research.
Titled: 'Repurposing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease', the report provides insights into the disease-modifying potential of T2DM drugs.
The relation between dysregulated insulin signalling in T2DM drugs and the pathophysiology in Alzheimer’s disease has become increasingly apparent, which indicates that drugs may be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
Insulin resistance affects the brain, in addition to playing a key role in T2DM drugs. Learning and memory processes such as dendritic sprouting, neuronal stem-cell activation, synaptic maintenance and neuroprotection are important functions regulated by the brain through insulin and insulin-like growth factors, explains GBI Research analyst Fiona Chisholm.
An insulin-resistant brain state plays a key role in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Research in this area has gained momentum in recent years, with significant discoveries being made. Insulin therapy is being administered to overcome the insulin resistance symptoms caused by the disease.
Metformin, a first-line therapy for T2DM, is one such T2DM agent, which is effective in treating Alzheimer’s. Drugs with established efficacy in treating Alzheimer’s may also be effective in the treatment of patients with co-morbid T2DM and Alzheimer’s, adds Chisholm.
