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A new study from the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing reveals that adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age face a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. Published in PLOS ONE, the research highlights how this risk is further compounded for individuals with obesity, raising critical questions about how early interventions could mitigate long-term cognitive decline.
Younger Diagnoses Linked to Higher Dementia Risk
Researchers analyzed data from 1,213 U.S. adults aged 50 and older who had confirmed type 2 diabetes but no dementia at the start of the study. Over a follow-up period of up to 14 years, 216 participants (17.8%) developed dementia.
The findings demonstrated a clear association between the age at diabetes diagnosis and dementia risk. Adults diagnosed before age 50 were 1.9 times more likely to develop dementia compared to those diagnosed at 70 or older. Similarly, those diagnosed between ages 50–59 and 60–69 had a 1.72- and 1.7-fold higher risk, respectively. The researchers also observed a graded relationship: each year younger at diagnosis increased the dementia risk by 1.9%.
Type 2 diabetes, which was once largely a condition of older adults, has become increasingly prevalent among younger populations. Globally, one in five people with type 2 diabetes is now under the age of 40. This demographic shift has significant implications, as mid-life onset of diabetes has been linked to a greater likelihood of vascular complications, poor glycemic control, and insulin resistance—factors that contribute to cognitive impairment and dementia risk, according to prior studies.
Obesity Plays a Key Role in Amplifying Risk
The study identified obesity as a critical factor influencing this risk. Among participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 50, those with obesity had the highest likelihood of developing dementia. This underscores the compounding effects of metabolic and vascular changes linked to both conditions.
“Our study highlights the importance of one’s age at diabetes diagnosis and suggests that specifically targeting obesity—whether through diet and exercise or perhaps medication—may play a role in staving off dementia in younger adults with diabetes,” ” said Bei Wu, the study’s senior author and vice dean for research at NYU Meyers.
This research reinforces the importance of early intervention strategies tailored to individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at younger ages. By integrating diabetes management with efforts to address obesity, healthcare providers may help reduce long-term cognitive risks. As obesity is a significant contributor to diabetes and dementia risk, targeted prevention strategies—including lifestyle modifications and potential pharmacological approaches—could be key in mitigating the impact of these conditions.
A Path Toward Prevention
The study, funded by the National Institute of Aging and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, represents a step forward in understanding how the timing of diabetes onset and associated risk factors influence dementia development. With these insights, researchers hope to inform more comprehensive approaches to preventing dementia in this vulnerable population.