The Use of Anti-Diabetic Drugs in Alzheimer’s Disease, New Therapeutic Options and Future Perspective

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressive loss of memory, confusion, inability of speech and decline in the cognitive behavior. It is considered one of the most common forms of dementia. Clinical studies and preclinical data in the last decade proved that AD and Diabetes mellitus share a pathophysiological pathway, indicating that insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammatory response would increase the risks of developing AD in diabetic patients. This review presents briefly the etiology of AD and Diabetes, discusses the possible theories about the interplaying risk factors and the mechanism of action of anti-diabetic medications recommended for the treatment of AD. It is concluded that antidiabetics have good potential to improve dementia, especially in earlier AD stages. However, many of the underlying intricate molecular pathways are still unclear and thus thorough future research is required.