Diabetes and dementia: a common link or coincidental coexistence?

Both diabetes and dementia are common problems effecting the elderly population. Often these two conditions coexist. Over the last 15 years is has been suggested that they are linked and a mechanism has been sought. In this Dance Round article, evidence available from Medline searches stretching from the laboratory bench to the meta-analysis of clinical trials is reviewed. This evidence shows us a link may well exist, leading some to suggest Alzheimer's disease is a third type of diabetes, but despite some promising research developments, the precise nature of this connection at present eludes us and provides as many questions for us to ponder as is does answers for us to consider.Biomedical Reviews 2007; 18: 59-64