Diabetes describes a group of metabolic conditions that typically result from problems with insulin production, action, or both. This can cause a widespread impact on the body, such as damaging blood vessels due to high blood sugar levels, or causing inflammation .
Thus, it is not uncommon for those living with diabetes to experience comorbid conditions, or multimorbidity . This refers to an individual living with two or more chronic, long-term health conditions.
Although the link between diabetes and dementia is not well understood, research has noted that diabetes can increase dementia risk. Previous research has mostly focused on type 2 diabetes and its association with dementia.
However, growing evidence is also highlighting a link between type 1 diabetes and dementia. Now, a new large cohort study published in Neurology , suggests that people with type 2 diabetes have an elevated risk of dementia, but the risk may be even greater among those with type 1 diabetes.
This highlights the need to better understand the mechanisms connecting diabetes and cognitive decline.
Medical News Today published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 19 Mar 2026.
The item focuses on Type 1 diabetes linked to significantly higher dementia risk, large U.S.
study finds.
Review the original article for the full source wording and details.