HOUSTON: Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating disorder that affects millions of people. A number of risk factors have been identified for Alzheimer’s disease; however, the role they play in the onset and progression of the disease is unclear. Two of the greatest risk factors are diabetes mellitus (specifically Type 2 diabetes) and chronic inflammation.
Two decades ago, researchers effectively linked a higher likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease with Type 2 diabetes. More recently, they’ve found that chronic inflammation in the brain is linked to the onset and acceleration of Alzheimer’s disease. The mechanisms underlying how these two risk factors contribute to Alzheimer’s disease are unclear and there has been very little research in this area.