MADRID, July 17 (UPI) -- Studies presented at a global Alzheimer's disease conference in Madrid suggest that Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of the dementia disease.
The findings raise concerns that the rising incidence of diabetes in the United States and elsewhere could result in Alzheimer's taking a larger toll, reports The New York Times.
At the same time, controlling diabetes may help lower Alzheimer's risk.
Alzheimer's reportedly affects about 10 percent of people over age 65, and nearly half of people over 85. Taking care of such patients cost $100 billion annually.
"Alzheimer's is going to swamp the healthcare system," Dr. John C. Morris, a neurology professor at Washington University in St. Louis and an adviser to the Alzheimer's Association, was quoted as saying.
