Diabetes News: University Of Michigan Study Finds That Diabetes Can Lead To Brain Structural Changes And Cognitive Issues!
Thailand Medical News Team Aug 13, 2023 1 year, 3 months, 1 week, 3 days, 9 hours, 8 minutes ago
Diabetes News: Dementia is a burgeoning global concern, with an estimated 57 million cases reported in 2019, a number projected to balloon to a staggering 152 million by 2050. This ominous surge is partially attributed to the escalating prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2d) and obesity worldwide, which are increasingly linked to cognitive impairment and dementia as covered in past studies and
Diabetes News reports.
This nexus between diabetes and cognitive health prompted researchers from the University of Michigan to embark on a pioneering study. Focusing on the Pima American Indian community, renowned for its higher T2d prevalence and propensity for neuropathy, obesity, and chronic kidney disease, the study aimed to elucidate the intricate relationship between diabetes duration, metabolic risk factors, and brain health outcomes.
Unveiling the Impact on Brain Structure
The study, led by Dr Evan Reynolds, Ph.D., a research fellow and lead statistician at the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies at Michigan Medicine, delved into the cerebral terrain of 51 middle-aged Pima American Indians with longstanding T2d. Employing cutting-edge techniques, including the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the researchers sought to discern the intricate interplay between diabetes, cognitive function, and brain structure.
Contrary to expectations, cognition among participants with T2d did not significantly differ from those without the condition. However, the MRI scans revealed a compelling narrative: as the duration of T2d increased, discernible changes in brain structure emerged. The study participants who had grappled with diabetes over a more extended period exhibited diminished mean cortical thickness and gray matter volumes. Strikingly, white matter hyperintensities, indicative of potential damage or dysfunction, were more pronounced in these individuals.
The Implications for Cognitive Health
These structural alterations unveiled a disconcerting reality – longstanding T2d appeared to exact a toll on brain health. The research underscored the imperative of preventing the early onset of T2d, highlighting the potential implications for cognitive well-being. While the cognitive assessments did not overtly indicate reduced function, the tangible changes within the brain itself painted a compelling case for heightened vigilance in screening for cognitive disorders in individuals living with T2d.
Diabetic Complications and Brain Health
The study's revelations extended beyond diabetes alone, delving into the intricate web of diabetic complications. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between diabetes-related complications - such as chronic kidney disease and damage to cardiac and vascular nerves - and structural brain changes. This finding corroborated a parallel study by the team, which illuminated a 2.45-fold increase in the likelihood of developing cognitive disorders in individuals aged 40 to 60 years with diabetes complications.
Surprisingly, neuropathy, a pervasive affliction affecting up to half of all individuals with diabetes, did not manifest a significant association with c
ognitive function in the study. This unexpected outcome ignited further intrigue into the intricate relationships between diabetes, complications, and cognitive health.
The Journey Ahead
Dr Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., the James W. Albers Distinguished Professor at U-M and director of the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies at Michigan Medicine, emphasized the study's significance in enhancing our understanding of the diabetes-brain health nexus. She stressed the critical role of education in disseminating awareness about the risks diabetes poses to brain health, urging a collective effort to safeguard cognitive well-being.
The study's cross-sectional design, limited sample size, and absence of a diabetes-free control group temper the conclusions. However, the profound insights into the impact of diabetes duration on brain structure and the intricate relationship between complications and cognitive health represent a seminal step forward in the field.
The Unique Perspective of Pima American Indians
The study's choice of the Pima American Indian community as its focal point is particularly poignant. These individuals grapple with an earlier onset of T2d and a higher prevalence of associated risk factors like neuropathy, obesity, and chronic kidney disease. This unique vantage point allowed researchers to examine the confluence of these factors with cognitive health, providing insights that may hold implications for broader populations.
Conclusion
The University of Michigan study has illuminated a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between type 2 diabetes, brain structure, and cognitive health.
The study findings underscore the necessity of proactive measures to prevent the early onset of T2d, and the imperative of vigilance in screening for cognitive disorders among individuals with diabetes. Furthermore, the study reinforces the significance of diabetes-related complications in influencing brain health outcomes, emphasizing the need to address chronic kidney disease and cardiac and vascular nerve damage. While questions remain, this study serves as a milestone in unraveling the complex tapestry that binds diabetes and cognitive well-being, paving the way for future research and interventions to safeguard brain health in the face of this burgeoning global epidemic.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acn3.51859
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