Men who develop diabetes in middle age may have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a new Swedish study suggests.

Researchers examined nearly 2,300 men for 32 years and found that those with abnormal insulin levels at age 50 were almost 1.5 times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as men who did not have insulin problems. These risks increased regardless of blood pressure, cholesterol, body-mass index and patient education.

The study results were published online in the April 9 issue of Neurology.

An estimated 3.2 million African Americans have type 2 diabetes. To learn more about diabetes and how to lower your risk of the disease and related complications, visit the American Diabetes Association website.