Diabetes Self-Management - Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Increased Parkinson Risk
The researchers involved with the Finnish study, which is the first large study to evaluate the potential link between Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson disease over time, state that the biological mechanisms behind this link are currently not understood. However, there are some theories that may help explain the association. Past research has shown that higher body weight is associated with higher risk of Parkinson disease, and participants in this new study who had Type 2 diabetes had significantly higher BMIs at the beginning of the study than those who didn't have diabetes. (The link between Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson disease, however, remained even when BMI was adjusted for.) Another potential explanation involves insulin; test tube and animal studies have shown that insulin may play a role in regulating dopamine action in the brain. Researchers have also hypothesized that the length of time a person has had Type 2 diabetes may be related to his Parkinson disease risk.
Hmmmm. Insulin blocks Dopamine. Very interesting. Basically I'm trying to take all the stuff I'm reading about the body, obesity, insulin resistance, etc, and tie it to what I'm reading about ADD/ADHD, Dopamine, executive dysfunction, etc. Here's a good point of contact. So for instance, if obesity and DRD2 are related, it could just be that the lack of dopamine receptors makes you compensate by eating more food, or that lack of dopamine inhibits discipline and forward planning and increases impulsiveness, hence you eat more. A more direct link between insulin and dopamine and other neurotransmitters would fit the bill nicely.
The researchers involved with the Finnish study, which is the first large study to evaluate the potential link between Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson disease over time, state that the biological mechanisms behind this link are currently not understood. However, there are some theories that may help explain the association. Past research has shown that higher body weight is associated with higher risk of Parkinson disease, and participants in this new study who had Type 2 diabetes had significantly higher BMIs at the beginning of the study than those who didn't have diabetes. (The link between Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson disease, however, remained even when BMI was adjusted for.) Another potential explanation involves insulin; test tube and animal studies have shown that insulin may play a role in regulating dopamine action in the brain. Researchers have also hypothesized that the length of time a person has had Type 2 diabetes may be related to his Parkinson disease risk.
Hmmmm. Insulin blocks Dopamine. Very interesting. Basically I'm trying to take all the stuff I'm reading about the body, obesity, insulin resistance, etc, and tie it to what I'm reading about ADD/ADHD, Dopamine, executive dysfunction, etc. Here's a good point of contact. So for instance, if obesity and DRD2 are related, it could just be that the lack of dopamine receptors makes you compensate by eating more food, or that lack of dopamine inhibits discipline and forward planning and increases impulsiveness, hence you eat more. A more direct link between insulin and dopamine and other neurotransmitters would fit the bill nicely.
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