Ashhar Alam/New Delhi

A new study has found that people living with type 1 diabetes may face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia later in life. Researchers also noted that type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk compared to those without diabetes, but the impact appears stronger in type 1 cases.

The study, led by Jennifer Weuve of Boston University, highlights growing concern as advances in treatment allow more people with type 1 diabetes to live longer. “Understanding the relationship between type 1 diabetes and dementia risk is becoming increasingly important,” Weuve said.

Researchers analysed data from 283,772 individuals with an average age of 64, including 5,442 with type 1 diabetes and 51,511 with type 2 diabetes. Over an average follow-up period of 2.4 years, 2,348 participants developed dementia.

Among them, 2.6% were people with type 1 diabetes, 1.8% had type 2 diabetes, and 0.6% had no diabetes. After adjusting for age, education and other factors, the study estimated that type 1 diabetes was linked to nearly three times higher dementia risk, while type 2 diabetes was associated with about twice the risk.

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Published in the journal Neurology, the study also suggested that around 65% of dementia cases in people with type 1 diabetes could be linked to the condition. However, researchers stressed that the findings show association, not direct causation.

Experts also noted limitations, including reliance on electronic health records and survey data, which may not capture all diagnoses.