Originally published March 21 2005
New form of diabetes may be associated with Alzheimer's disease
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
U.S. researchers think they have discovered a new form of diabetes, which they've named "Type 3 Diabetes" that affects the brain and may be linked to Alzheimer's disease. Unlike types 1 and 2 diabetes, the newly discovered version does not affect blood sugar levels. It involves insulin produced in the brain and appears to have something to do with the onset of Alzheimer's. Doctors have long known that diabetics have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Scientists say they may have discovered a previously unknown form of diabetes, after finding the brain produces insulin as well as the pancreas.
Unlike other types of diabetes, the form - dubbed type 3 by the US Brown Medical School team - is not thought to affect blood sugar.
Type 3 affects brain insulin levels, and appears to be linked with Alzheimer's disease.
The so-called 'type 3' diabetes refers to lower than normal levels of newly discovered brain insulin, which appears to be associated with Alzheimer's disease in some way.
Scientists have known for some time that people with diabetes have an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease - by up to 65%.
They have also discovered that many type 2 diabetics have deposits of a protein in their pancreas which is similar to the protein deposits found in the brain tissue of people with Alzheimer's disease.
They say this insulin and its related growth factors and receptors in the brain are vital for the survival of brain cells.
In the case of Alzheimer's, the cells that die are located in the part of the brain involved with memory, called the hippocampus.
Dr de la Monte, who is a neuropathologist at Rhode Island Hospital, said: "What we found is that insulin is not just produced in the pancreas, but also in the brain.
A spokeswoman from the Alzheimer's Research Trust said: "Researchers have believed for some time that the role of insulin and its growth factors are very important in Alzheimer's disease.
Professor Greg Cole, from the University of California Los Angeles' Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, said: "This is a new finding.
"I suspect that the brain insulin itself is not very significant and neither is its deficit in Alzheimer's disease and, therefore, I wouldn't call it type 3 diabetes."
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml