From Glucose to Neuroprotection: Exploring Antidiabetic Medications as a Novel Approach to Alzheimer's Disease Treatment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurological disorder and a leading cause of dementia, which is characterized by progressive cognitive decline. Emerging research highlights the link between AD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), suggesting that shared pathophysiological mechanisms, such as insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress, contribute to both conditions. This connection has led to the concept of type 3 diabetes. Given these overlaps, antidiabetic drugs are being explored for repurposing as potential AD treatments. Intranasal insulin, metformin, thiazolidinediones, and GLP-1 analogs like liraglutide have shown promise in reducing amyloid-beta levels and inflammation, and improving cognitive functions. Despite encouraging preclinical and early clinical results, challenges remain in translating these findings into safe and effective treatments. Continued research could lead to innovative therapies that address both AD and T2DM, offering improved patient outcomes.