Plasma levels of insulin and amyloid β42 are correlated in patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Epidemiological and experimental data suggest that type 2 diabetes (DM2) and sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) share a common mechanism, that is able to produce accumulation of insulin and amyloid β42 (Aβ42), the major pathogenic events respectively of the two conditions. In 71 non diabetic patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment we found a significant linear correlation between fasting plasma levels of insulin and Aβ42 (R=+0.25, P<0.05). The levels of both peptides were elevated in comparison to 48 age-matched cognitively normal controls. The correlation of insulin and Aβ42 plasma levels suggests a pathogenic link between DM2 and sporadic AD.