Maya Iyer

The Effects of Diabetes on Patients with Stroke

Started Mar. 16, 2023

Abstract or project description

Type 2 diabetes and stroke are some of the most common illness-related causes of deaths in America. Type 2 diabetes, because it is caused by insulin tolerance, can increase blood sugar and cholesterol levels, leading to increasing build up of foam cells and plaque in the arteries, which causes endothelial damage. Type 2 diabetes is very debilitating with many of the treatments just slowing down the process rather than curing the disease. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common illnesses in America, with almost half of all senior citizens suffering from it. Because of the nature of the sickness, it can place many people at increased risk of other illnesses, one of the main ones being stroke. A stroke is caused by the blockage of a cerebral artery due to endothelial damage. It is one of the most fatal conditions, usually causing death or paralysis, even with the boost of modern technology. While working on cures for stroke is essential, it is also very important to understand how they can be prevented, especially for people who are already at risk because of conditions like diabetes. Certain treatments for diabetes, such as SGLT2 inhibitors as well as PCSK9 inhibitors, are able to prevent macrovascular diseases, like strokes, which makes them unique compared to other diabetes medications. My goal is to understand why these therapies can help with stroke prevention as well as how they can be modified to help patients who have had prior ischemic incidents to both improve neurological recovery and reduce the risk of subsequent ischemic episodes.