Diabetes, Dementia and Hypoglycemia

Can J Diabetes. 2016 Feb;40(1):73-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2015.09.006. Epub 2016 Jan 6.

Abstract

We are experiencing an epidemic of both diabetes and dementia among older adults in this country. The risk for dementia appears to be increased in patients with diabetes, and patients with dementia and diabetes appear to be at greater risk for severe hypoglycemia. In addition, there may be an increased risk for developing dementia by older patients with diabetes who have had episodes of severe hypoglycemia, although this issue is controversial. In this article, we review the factors that contribute to the increased risk for dementia in older adults with diabetes and outline the complex relationships between hypoglycemia and dementia.

Keywords: Alzheimer disease; dementia; diabetes; diabète; démence; elderly; hypoglycemia; hypoglycémie; maladie d'Alzheimer; personnes âgées.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging*
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Combined Modality Therapy / adverse effects
  • Dementia / epidemiology
  • Dementia / prevention & control*
  • Dementia, Vascular / epidemiology
  • Dementia, Vascular / prevention & control
  • Diabetes Mellitus / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus / psychology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / prevention & control
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / prevention & control*
  • Diet, Diabetic
  • Health Transition*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hypoglycemia / epidemiology
  • Hypoglycemia / prevention & control*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Incidence
  • Motor Activity
  • Prediabetic State / blood
  • Prediabetic State / drug therapy
  • Prediabetic State / psychology
  • Prediabetic State / therapy
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents