ReviewMolecular links between Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus

•An increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in people with diabetes.•The underlying molecular mechanisms still remain elusive.•Reviewing the current studies on common pathological processes of Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.•Focusing on potential mechanisms through which diabetes affects the initiation and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Substantial epidemiological evidence shows an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in people with diabetes. Yet the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. This article reviews the current studies on common pathological processes of Alzheimer's disease and diabetes with particular focus on potential mechanisms through which diabetes affects the initiation and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Impairment of insulin signaling, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, advanced glycation end products, APOEɛ4 and cholesterol appear to be important mediators and are likely to act synergistically in promoting AD pathology.