Alzheimer’s Disease - Type 3 Diabetes?
- drgosh
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 30
At The Think Clinic, we believe that knowledge empowers families. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most challenging conditions of our time, and new research is helping us better understand how it develops. One of the most important discoveries in recent years is the strong connection between Alzheimer’s and problems with insulin in the brain — so much so that scientists sometimes refer to it as “Type 3 Diabetes.”
What Do We Mean by “Type 3 Diabetes”?
Most people are familiar with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, conditions where the body struggles to produce or use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and provides energy to cells.
In Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have discovered that the brain also develops resistance to insulin. Brain cells do not store sugar. Thus, brain insulin resistance makes it harder for brain cells to get the energy they need. Over time, this “energy crisis” may contribute to memory loss, confusion, and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s. That’s why some experts have started calling it “Type 3 Diabetes” — because the same hormone that regulates sugar in the body is also critical for brain health.
How Insulin Affects the Brain
Insulin isn’t just about blood sugar. In the brain, it plays several important roles:
🔋 Provides energy so brain cells can function properly.
🛡️ Protects neurons from damage and inflammation.
🧠 Supports memory and learning by helping nerve cells communicate.
When the brain becomes resistant to insulin, these protective processes are disrupted. This is believed to contribute to the plaques, tangles, and cell death that are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
Why This Matters for Patients and Families
Understanding Alzheimer’s as “Type 3 Diabetes” changes how we think about the disease:
It connects brain health with metabolic health (how the body processes food and energy).
It opens the door to new treatment strategies that focus on improving insulin signaling in the brain.
It reinforces the importance of lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep, which affect both diabetes and dementia risk.
Research and Emerging Therapies
Because of this link, researchers are exploring whether therapies that improve insulin signaling — including insulin delivered in novel ways, such as eye drops or nasal sprays — may help support brain function.
While these approaches are still experimental and not yet FDA-approved for Alzheimer’s disease, early studies and case reports are providing hope that addressing insulin resistance in the brain could be a promising path forward.
The Think Clinic’s Commitment
At The Think Clinic, we are committed to advancing knowledge and exploring research-driven approaches that give families hope. By understanding Alzheimer’s as more than just a memory disorder — but also a metabolic condition — we can work toward therapies that not only manage symptoms but also target one of the root causes of the disease.
Disclaimer: The concept of Alzheimer’s as “Type 3 Diabetes” is based on ongoing scientific research. Insulin-based therapies are not FDA-approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options.
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