Research reveals Alzheimer's risk 53% higher for those with type 2 diabetes
· Medical Xpressedited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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A Curtin University-led review has revealed type 2 diabetes significantly raises the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 studies and found that if 1,000 people living with type 2 diabetes were followed for a year, an estimated average of 4.7 would develop Alzheimer's.
The paper, "Incidence and risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis," was published in Alzheimer's Research & Therapy.
In a separate analysis, type 2 diabetes was associated with a 53% higher adjusted relative risk of Alzheimer's disease, compared with people living without type 2 diabetes.
Study author Dr. Emmanuel Adewuyi, an NHMRC investigator fellow at the Curtin School of Population Health, said the review was important as it quantifies the relative risk and incidence of Alzheimer's in people living with type 2 diabetes.
"While many earlier reviews combined different types of diabetes or dementia, this review focused specifically on type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease and estimated how often new cases occurred," Adewuyi said.
"Relative risk tells us how two groups compare, while incidence tells us how often new cases occur: putting those numbers together gives us a clearer picture of the burden of Alzheimer's disease among people living with type 2 diabetes."
Publication details
Thi Thu Huong Nguyen et al., Incidence and risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Alzheimer's Research & Therapy (2026). DOI: 10.1186/s13195-026-02254-7
Journal information: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy
Key medical concepts
Alzheimer's DiseaseDiabetes Type 2
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NeurologyEndocrinologyHealthy aging Provided by Curtin University Who's behind this story?
Sadie Harley
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