A recent study reports that type 2 diabetes places an individual at risk of suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's and other cognitive mental decline. Specifically, individuals with the metabolic disorder have 75% probability of developing dementia compared to those without diabetes.
It is believed that the insulin resistance and increase blood sugar levels-manifested by Type 2 diabetes patients-caused the impairment of the brain's blood vessels. The researchers found during the two-year timeframe spent on keeping track of older diabetics that diabetes weakened the brain's capacity to remain flexible amidst the mental challenges it faces throughout the day.
The research was spearheaded by neurologists working at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and published in the journal Neurology on Wednesday.
The researchers involved 40 individuals, from age 50 to 85 years old. After undergoing brain scans, 19 was positive of Type 2 diabetes. They were also found to have constricted blood vessels in brains compared to participants who were diabetes free. Two years later, their condition worsened.
The researchers also looked into the differences of the vasculature in the brains of diabetics. It was found that the non-diabetic group behaved differently from the diabetic group. At the commencement and at the end of the study two years later, the researchers discovered that diabetics' brains have blood vessels that are unable to expand and contract to adapt on fast-shifting mental jobs.
Interestingly, diabetics also have fewer blood vessels in brain, a sign that atrophy has begun.
In terms of memory, Type 2 diabetics fared poorly in memory, learning, complex reasoning and daily functioning tests, compared to those without diabetes.
The recent research findings strengthen the claim that inflammation and blood vessel damage due to diabetes are the key culprits behind brain deterioration.
