What Is Type 3 Diabetes?

Type 3 diabetes is referred to as brain diabetes and is a fairly new phenomenon, recognized as a disease in 2005. This dangerous hybrid form of diabetes was confirmed during a study which took place at Brown University's Medical School. The study showed for the first time exactly how the brain produces and uses insulin, which very closely mirrors the way the pancreas makes it. The problem with Type 3 diabetes is protein plaque. The way the brain makes insulin can result in the formation of this plaque, which resembles that found in Type 1 and 2 diabetes sufferers. The attack of the brain's functions is the result of Type 3 diabetes and memory loss and improper memory creation and formation are the result.
An important function of insulin is to help form memories between the small places in your brain where the cells talk to each other. The spaces are called synapses, and the insulin receptors are needed for every memory you have. Those who suffer with Type 3 diabetes lose the insulin receptors as the brain loses the energy that is needed to form memories.
The receptors leave because the brain has not made enough insulin. Studies have shown giving Alzheimer's patients insulin prevents and slows down memory loss by protecting the synapses that make the memories. Those who have both Alzheimer's and Type 3 diabetes have a much lower insulin level. Researchers at Northwestern University found that memory creation fails when insulin is in short supply because insulin is good at warding off bad amyloid beta-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs). These dangerous ligands destroy receptors in your brain when insulin is not around to protect them, and therefore insulin cannot connect the synapses, with no new memory formation.
The American Diabetes Association says that research on Type 3 diabetes is still ground breaking and will not provide a concrete definition on it. A common trait between Type 3 diabetes and Type 1 diabetes is that it shows up in those who have Type 2 symptoms, earning the nickname Double Diabetes.
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Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
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