Not only diabetes, high sugar levels in the blood was also a risk factor for Alzheimer's. A new study published the journal Neurology found that those who had a risk of dementia of Alzheimer's disease have elevated levels of sugar in the blood.
Previous studies have found that diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer's. But new research conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona's wanted to test whether high blood sugar levels in non-diabetic people can also increase the risk of Alzheimer's.
The study involved 124 volunteers aged 47 to 68 years and do not have diabetes. The participants had normal brain function, but they have a family history of Alzheimer's. The volunteers undergo a scan to determine the metabolic activity in the brain.
A person with Alzheimer's disease will usually show a decrease in the metabolism of certain areas in the brain. Apparently, in people with high blood sugar levels were also found specific patterns of metabolic decline in the brain area.
The study leader, Christine Burns said the findings are expected to be useful in developing early Alzheimer's intervention.
"A lot of valuable research that focuses on the treatment and slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. Study was to further complement previous research with interventions that can be implemented much earlier, perhaps as a middle-aged," said Burns.
Alzheimer risk factors that have been known are age and heredity, but there are also other factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
This study found a link between Alzheimer's disease with high blood sugar levels, but has not been able to explain the cause-effect relationships.