Diabetes Affects the Brain, Study Finds

Diabetes has affected the lives of people in the most inconvenient ways. It has been known to damage most of the body's organs due to increased blood sugar levels and other adverse reactions. It is also associated with heart disease, stroke and nephropathy. Recently, a study confirms that diabetes may eventually influence cognitive functions, diminish reaction and reduce one's ability to keep memories.

TIME Magazine explains that normally, blood vessels will swell with the slightest increase in blood flow to provide oxygen in areas that need it most, like the regions for memory or intellectual tasks. 

However, the study published in the journal Neurology found out that diabetics' body systems have difficulties coping with changes in blood vessel activities. This put them at risk of experiencing a decline in their cognitive functions and their ability to perform daily tasks.

Associate Professor of Neurology Dr. Vera Novak of Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center said that after two years of following a group of people ages 65 and above, the research team discovered that the diabetic participants had lower scores on cognitive tests as compared to their original scores. 

Medical Xpress elaborates the study, reporting that out of the 40 people who participated, 19 have type 2 diabetes, and they have been treating their condition for 13 years. 

The participants have been initially tested to check their cognitive and memory skills. After two years, they have been given the same set of tests. With the two sets of results, the researchers have been able to note that the diabetic group had shown decreased regulation of blood flow activity in the brain.

Dr. Novak explains that the possible explanation for reduced cognition and responsiveness to stimuli is the decreased blood flow in specific areas of the diabetics' brains, which could have resulted to reduced vasodilation ability.

Furthermore, the diabetic group also showed higher levels of inflammation, which are still linked to decreased blood flow regulation, even if the diabetes and blood pressure are controlled.

The New York Times writes that currently, there is no treatment for slower cognitive function. However, Dr. Novak and her team are now doing a trial experiment on additional insulin injection to the brain to see if it can improve or at least, slow down the decline process.