Diabetes drugs: Breakthrough Findings from CING
diabetes drugs — Diabetes drugs used to treat metabolic disorders have shown potential in alleviating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in mice, according to a study led by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING). The findings suggest that both the timing of treatment and the duration of medication may be crucial for achieving similar outcomes in humans.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- With the ongoing research, there is hope that new therapeutic avenues may be developed that could lead to more effective treatment options for Alzheimer’s in the future.
Promising Results in Mice
Published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Neuroscience’ in August 2025, the research demonstrates that two FDA-approved drugs, Alirocumab, which impacts Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, and Gliclazide, which promotes insulin release to lower blood sugar, significantly restored cognitive function in Alzheimer’s-afflicted mice. After five months of treatment, these mice exhibited improved working memory and spatial learning abilities.
Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, is marked by the accumulation of protein plaques known as amyloids, which disrupt communication between brain cells, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. Emerging studies have increasingly linked metabolic disorders, including Type 2 diabetes, with the progression of Alzheimer’s, suggesting that the dysregulated metabolism of fat and sugar may contribute to amyloid formation in the brain.
Insights from CING’s Lead Researcher
Dr Elena Panayiotou Worth, an associate scientist at CING and the study’s lead author, emphasised the interconnectedness of the brain and body, stating, “We used to think the brain was shut off, by itself, and then there was the rest of the body. But it doesn’t work like that.” Dr Panayiotou Worth highlighted the need to maintain gut health to support brain health, advocating for a holistic approach to tackling Alzheimer’s.
Testing Methodology and Results
The study involved a maze navigation test to assess the cognitive abilities of mice with Alzheimer’s. Those that received no medication performed poorly compared to healthy mice. Conversely, mice treated with Gliclazide showed cognitive performance on par with healthy mice, while those receiving Alirocumab injections every 10 days outperformed even the healthy group. Molecular analysis revealed that treated mice had significantly fewer amyloid plaques in their brains compared to untreated counterparts.
Dr Panayiotou Worth remarked on the striking results, stating, “They looked and behaved like regular mice. If you tested them and you didn’t previously know they had Alzheimer’s, you wouldn’t have known. It’s like they became super mice.”
Global Alzheimer’s and Diabetes Statistics
Data from the World Health Organisation highlights a growing concern, with 57 million cases of dementia reported in 2021 and an estimated 10 million new cases annually. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-70% of these cases. Concurrently, diabetes prevalence has surged from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022, indicating a troubling trend in metabolic health.
Expert Perspectives on the Connection
Maria Constantoula, a clinical psychologist at Ithaki charity organisation in Nicosia, noted the complex relationship between Alzheimer’s and diabetes. She observed that patients suffering from both conditions face increased challenges, particularly with emotional regulation and coordination during diabetic episodes. “You can see that those people with diabetes are more vulnerable – they tend to have more loss of concentration and exhibit more confusion,” Constantoula explained.
She advocates for a diet rich in Vitamins B and D as part of comprehensive care for Alzheimer’s patients, citing the Mediterranean diet’s benefits, which emphasises vegetables, olive oil, fish, and legumes.
The Importance of Timing in Treatment
Dr Panayiotou Worth believes that early intervention is vital in combating Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in preventing metabolism-related plaque accumulation. She noted that recent human studies testing metabolic drugs like Ozempic for Alzheimer’s treatment were unsuccessful, attributing this to the drugs being administered for too short a duration or to patients already exhibiting symptoms.
Timing, she asserts, is critical for success in human treatments. The mice in her study were treated for five months, which is roughly equivalent to 20 to 30 years for humans. Importantly, these mice were treated before showing clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Challenges in Early Intervention
Dr Panayiotou Worth raised concerns about the challenges associated with early intervention, calling it a “Catch-22” situation. “Understanding that metabolism has something to do with Alzheimer’s is one thing, but when does it matter?” she questioned, highlighting the difficulty in determining the appropriate time to begin treatment.
Individuals at risk may be reluctant to undertake drastic treatment for minor health markers, as illustrated by Vassilis, a 73-year-old president of an Alzheimer’s centre in Cyprus. He chose not to pursue medication for his late wife, Thekla, who succumbed to Alzheimer’s, believing that the treatment would have limited effectiveness.
The Path Forward
As researchers continue to explore the relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer’s, Dr Panayiotou Worth remains hopeful that the latest findings will contribute to a better understanding of the disease. She emphasised the importance of empathy and patience in caring for those affected, noting that acceptance of the patient’s experience is crucial.
With the ongoing research, there is hope that new therapeutic avenues may be developed that could lead to more effective treatment options for Alzheimer’s in the future.
