Diabetes Medication Helps Reduce Dementia Risk: Study

A large German study found that a generic diabetes drug could help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, otherwise known as the most common form of dementia. Researchers from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases found that pioglitazone, also sold as Actos, helped prevent the onset of Alzheimer's.

"The long-term use of pioglitazone reduces the risk of dementia incidence," said Anne Fink, a researcher for the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases who helped lead the trial, via Reuters Health.

For the study, researchers conducted an analysis of German healthcare plans between 2004-2010, consisting of 145,717 patients who were 60 or older.

Findings revealed that 13,481 people from the sample developed dementia. However, those who took the diabetes drug showed a 6 percent reduced dementia risk in comparison to those who did not. 

Researchers speculate that the drug helped prevent Alzheimer's by reducing inflammation in the brain and parts of the nervous system. However, other helpful aspects of the medication could also be part of overall reduction.

Separate studies have shown that patients with type 2 diabetes and poor blood sugar control are more likely to develop dementia. Those taking medications like Actos experienced a 20 percent decreased risk of the health issue than those who took insulin, alone.

As close to 18 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's with rates doubling every five years for those between 65 and 85 years old, researchers said they hope to further assess whether low doses of pioglitaonze can delay the onset of cognitive issues.