Rising Dementia Rates in Diabetics Prompt Call for New Therapies

In affluent countries, individuals with type 2 diabetes are witnessing decreased death rates from cardiovascular diseases, but an alarming rise in dementia-related mortality, according to a substantial study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. Advanced diabetes drugs, like GLP-1s and SGLT-2 inhibitors, are lauded for heart protection and sugar control, yet lack brain-focused benefits.

The study analyzed data from 10 wealthy nations, covering 2.7 million diabetic deaths between 2000 and 2023. It noted significant declines in mortality rates linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, juxtaposed with increasing deaths from dementia. The study urges a shift in diabetes care focus from cardiovascular advancements to cognitive health preservation in the future.

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