Diabetes is a risk factor for dementia but it is unknown whether higher glucose levels increase the risk of dementia in people without diabetes.
2067 participants without dementia were studied to examine the relationship between glucose levels and the risk of dementia. Participants included 839 men and 1228 women whose mean age at baseline was 76 years; 232 participants had diabetes, and 1835 did not.
During a median follow-up of 6.8 years, dementia developed in 524 participants (74 with diabetes and 450 without). Among participants without diabetes, higher average glucose levels within the preceding 5 years were related to an increased risk of dementia; with a glucose level of 6.4 mmol per liter as compared with 5.5 mmol per liter. Among participants with diabetes, higher average glucose levels were also related to an increased risk of dementia. The authors suggest that higher glucose levels may be a risk factor for dementia, even among persons without diabetes.
Crane PK, Walker R, Hubbard RA, Li G, Nathan DM, Zheng H, Haneuse S, Craft S, Montine TJ, Kahn SE, McCormick W, McCurry SM, Bowen JD, Larson EB: Glucose levels and risk of dementia. NEJM 369(6): 540-548 (2013).
