Meanwhile, another study – also backed by Alzheimer’s Research UK – is investigating whether thiazolidinediones, used to treat diabetes, can help prevent or treat vascular dementia.
The condition is known to be caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
Researchers will use a database, containing the details of about 20% of the population of England and Wales, to examine whether the risk of developing vascular dementia can be lowered by taking thiazolidinediones.
University of Manchester researcher Joyce Huang is investigating whether diabetes drugs may have anti-inflammatory properties that could be beneficial in vascular dementia.
Dr Huang said: “We are looking at prevention as the primary outcome, but if that does not happen, we will further look into if they would delay the incidence of vascular dementia, and I think it will be something related to blood sugar control.”
If the results are promising, researchers hope to move to clinical trials.
