Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review

This systematic review explores the role of diabetes as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, with a focus on molecular mechanisms, pathophysiological pathways, and the neuroprotective effects of antidiabetic therapies. Using Synthory.AI for automated synthesis, 58 articles published between 2018 and 2025 were analyzed. Findings highlight chronic hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and neuroinflammation as critical links between diabetes and neurodegeneration. Promising neuroprotective effects of therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists and metformin were noted, though limitations in study designs and inconsistencies in outcomes underscore the need for robust, longitudinal research. Future investigations should emphasize biomarker-driven studies and comprehensive evaluations of therapeutic safety and efficacy to better address the complex interplay between diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.