Studies suggest there is a link between Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes, triggered by insulin resistance in the brain. This condition may be worsened due to a lack or delay in treatment.

Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t know they have the condition. This delays diagnosis and treatment measures. Over time, untreated diabetes may result in damage to blood vessels, including those in the brain, potentially leading to Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, diabetes may also contribute to chemical imbalances in the brain, which could trigger Alzheimer’s disease.

As a result, diabetes is considered a risk factor for a condition called vascular dementia. This condition carries symptoms of its own and has the potential to develop into an overlap with Alzheimer’s.

A 2016 study found that people with type 2 diabetes may be up to 60% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than any other form of dementia.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include a family history of the condition, high blood pressure, overweight or obesity, reduced physically active, cholesterol level imbalances, and certain chronic health conditions, such as depression and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).