Linking Diabetes to Alzheimer's Disease: Potential Roles of Glucose Metabolism and Alpha-Glucosidase

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are more prevalent with ageing and cause a substantial global socio-economic burden. The biology of these two conditions is well elaborated, but whether AD and type 2 DM arise from coincidental roots in ageing or are linked by pathophysiological mechanisms remains unclear. Research findings involving animal models have identified mechanisms shared by both AD and type 2 DM. Deposition of & beta;-amyloid peptides and formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are pathological hallmarks of AD. Type 2 DM, on the other hand, is a metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. Several studies show that improving type 2 DM can delay or prevent the development of AD, and hence, prevention and control of type 2 DM may reduce the risk of AD later in life. Alpha-glucosidase is an enzyme that is commonly associated with hyperglycaemia in type 2 DM. However, it is uncertain if this enzyme may play a role in the progression of AD. This review explores the experimental evidence that depicts the relationship between dysregulation of glucose metabolism and AD. We also delineate the links between alpha-glucosidase and AD and the potential role of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in treating AD.

Automated summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are both age-related diseases with a significant socio-economic burden. Although their biology is well understood, the relationship between AD and type 2 DM remains unclear. Animal models have revealed shared mechanisms between the two, such as the deposition of β-amyloid peptides and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in AD, and hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in type 2 DM. Studies suggest that improving type 2 DM may delay or prevent the development of AD, highlighting the importance of prevention and control of type 2 DM in reducing the risk of AD. Furthermore, the potential role of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in treating AD is also explored.