Australia: A recent study finds that the presence of prediabetes or diabetes in older adults at risk for dementia is associated with impaired memory and executive dysfunction, finds a recent study. The findings, published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, underscores the potential role of oxidative stress as a pathophysiological mechanism that may strengthen the link between diabetes and cognitive dysfunction.
Previous studies have shown diabetes to be an established risk factor for dementia. The study was conducted by Camilla M. Hoyos, The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and colleagues aimed to examine the relationship between various cognitive domains, brain oxidative stress, and markers of diabetes in older adults at risk for dementia.
For this purpose, the researchers performed a comprehensive neuropsychological and medical assessment of older adults at risk for dementia. At-risk was defined as those with subjective and/or objective cognitive impairment. American Diabetes Association definitions for fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were used to define pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the anterior cingulate cortex was used to assess brain oxidative stress as indicated by glutathione (GSH).
Salient findings of the study are as follows:
· One-hundred and forty-seven older adults completed a neuropsychological assessment and fasting blood sample with 63 also undergoing magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
· Those with pre-diabetes/diabetes according to FBG had impaired memory retention, set-shifting and response inhibition, compared to those with normal blood glucose.
· There were no significant differences in any cognitive outcome using the HbA1c definition. Increasing glucose and HbA1c levels were associated with reduced GSH concentration in the anterior cingulate.
To conclude, the results showed that in older adults at risk for dementia, having pre-diabetes or diabetes is associated with impaired memory and executive dysfunction.
Reference:
The study titled, "Brain oxidative stress and cognitive function in older adults with diabetes and pre-diabetes who are at risk for dementia," was published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2021.109178