Simple Insulin Resistance Test Signals Faster Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Patients
A recent study from the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) reveals that a triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index—a straightforward and cost-effective test for insulin resistance—can help predict accelerated cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
📌 Study Highlights
- Researchers at the University of Brescia tracked 315 non‑diabetic individuals with cognitive impairment (200 with biologically confirmed Alzheimer’s) over three years. Each patient’s insulin resistance was measured using the TyG index
- Subjects in the highest TyG index tertile within the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)–Alzheimer’s subgroup experienced significantly faster decline—losing over 2.5 points per year on the Mini‑Mental State Examination, with a 4‑fold increased risk compared to those with lower TyG scores
- No similar link was observed in patients without Alzheimer’s, suggesting this marker is specific to AD progression
🧬 Why This Matters
- Early Warning Tool: The TyG index is already available in most hospital labs, offering a simple way to identify Alzheimer’s patients at higher risk for rapid deterioration.
- Targeted Therapies: Identifying high-TyG individuals could help healthcare providers tailor early interventions—such as lifestyle changes or disease-modifying treatments.
- Disease-Specific Biomarker: Findings suggest insulin resistance plays a unique role in Alzheimer’s progression, potentially affecting brain glucose metabolism, amyloid build-up, blood-brain barrier integrity, and inflammation
🔮 Future Directions
The study’s authors suggest that incorporating TyG into clinical assessments could improve trial enrollment and patient stratification. Ongoing research aims to connect TyG levels with neuroimaging markers and evaluate whether insulin-sensitizing treatments might slow disease progression. If effective, this low-cost metabolic marker could transform personalized care for Alzheimer’s patients .
