Type 3 diabetes- Alzheimer’s disease

Now scientists at Northwestern University have discovered why brain insulin signaling — crucial for memory formation — would stop working in Alzheimer’s disease. They have shown that a toxic protein found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s removes insulin receptors from nerve cells, rendering those neurons insulin resistant. (The protein, known to attack memory-forming synapses, is called an ADDL for “amyloid ß-derived diffusible ligand.”)

There was preliminary research released stating that there is a direct correlation the way the brain uses, or misuses, insulin and the way that diabetics fight a similar battle.

The most current Northwestern University study is so powerful that they are even coining Alzheimer’s disease as a possible “type 3 diabetes”. What a breakthrough for both diseases this would be! If you want to read the entire article that was derived from a publication released from Northwestern University, check out Science Daily.

And if you are interested in reading more on Alzheimer’s disease check out a fellow b5 blog Alzheimer’s Notes.