Diabetes drug Actos associated with lower rates of Alzheimers disease

Posted on July 23, 2014 by in News

A study of over 100,000 people from German healthcare records show the type 2 diabetes drug, pioglitazone, to be linked with lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease.
Actos is in a class of drugs called thiazolidinediones, or TZDs for short. These drugs work by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Whilst thiazolidinediones have been shown to improve blood glucose control, researchers have been interested to understand whether this has benefits for the brain, particularly with regard to preventing or delaying forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers, from the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases reviewed around 146,000 health records of people over 60 years of age that had no previous signs of dementia. Whilst nearly 1 in 10 people (13,841 participants) developed dementia between the years 2004 and 2010, rates of dementia amongst those taking pioglitazone (Actos) were significantly lower.
The results back up findings from previous studies that have also indicated reduced risks of dementia. Whilst the findings appear to show benefits for the drug, medical organisations will need to see clear evidence that the drug can prevent Alzheimers before it can be recommended, particularly as the side effects of Actos include a slightly increased risk of bladder cancer.
The manufacturers …read more

Source: News from Diabetes.co.uk

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Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN—an award-winning RD, certified diabetes educator, and past national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is the author of The African American Guide to Living Well With Diabetes, which received the Favorably Reviewed designation from the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and Eating Soulfully and Healthfully with Diabetes.

Dr. Lori Shemek, PhD, CNC, CLC, the best-selling author of “Fire-Up Your Fat Burn! and leading health and weight loss expert, is also known as “The Inflammation Terminator.” She has made it her mission to educate the public on the toxic effects of certain foods and lifestyle choices and how they create inflammation in the body. She is a leading authority on inflammation and its role in weight loss, preventing disease and optimizing health.

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Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDE (aka “Dr. Bev”) is a clinical psychologist and certified diabetes educator, author and speaker. She specializes treating the emotional issues of people with diabetes. In her private practice, she provides individual, family and/or group therapy utilizing a cognitive behavior therapy orientation, combined with a spiritual approach. Her goal is to empower her patients to manage their diabetes.

Dr. Bev is the author of two self-help diabetes books. She has written numerous articles which are published in print and online – always focused on diabetes from the emotional perspective. She also speaks to audiences of people living with diabetes, as well as, to audiences of healthcare professionals and diabetes educators. Dr. Bev, herself, has been living successfully with type 1 diabetes for 40+ years.

In August 2016, Dr. Bev was honored to receive the “CDE Entrepreneur of the Year” Award from her Metropolitan NY Association of Diabetes Educators.

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She has been interviewed and quoted in media outlets for WebMD, Atlanta Sports and Fitness, Georgia Public Broadcasting, and the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. She has partnered with V-103 Radio to lead supermarket tours as part of a community outreach during National Nutrition Month.

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