Definition of Type 3 diabetes

Type 3 diabetes: a term that has been proposed for Alzheimer's disease developing as a result of insulin resistance by neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. This terminology is not universally accepted, but some researchers feel that Alzheimer's disease could be a type of diabetes that has effects on the brain. There is some scientific evidence that resistance to insulin is a part of the Alzheimer's disease process. It is also known that people with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer disease. Research is ongoing to further clarify the role of insulin resistance and diabetes in the development of Alzheimer disease as well as investigating the role that diabetes treatments may be able to play a role in management of Alzheimer's disease.