Peer Study / Observation Study / People
For the study, published in the journal Diabetes, obesity and metabolism, researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank of an average of 500,000 58 – year – olds, and found that people with higher than normal blood sugar levels were 42% more likely to see a mental decline over four years on average, and were 54% more likely to develop viral depression over an average of eight years (although overall rates of cognitive decline and depression were low).
The associations were still true after paying attention to other influential factors – including age, poverty, smoking, BMI and whether or not participants had cardiovascular disease.
People with prediabetes have higher than normal blood sugar levels, but are not high enough to experience type 2 diabetes. It means they have a higher risk of developing diabetes. -develop sugar. It is estimated that there are between five and seven million people * with prediabetes in the UK.
Lead author Dr Victoria Garfield (UCL Institute for Cardiovascular Science and MRC MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Aging) said: “Our research shows a possible link between higher blood sugar levels – a state that is often referred to as ‘prediabetes’ – and higher risks of mental retardation and viral depression. As a speculative study, it cannot prove that higher blood sugar levels are causing worsening brain health. However, we believe there is a link that could be explored further.
“Previous research has found a link between worsening mental outcomes and diabetes but our study is the first to examine how relatively high blood sugar levels – but not all. diabetes is still a disease – affecting the health of our brain. “
In the study, researchers examined how different blood sugar levels, or glycemic states, were associated with performance in cognitive tests over time, dementia studies, and brain structure measured by MRI scans of the brain. Each of these measures was limited to smaller subsets of the Biobank sample (e.g., only 18,809 participants had continuous cognitive testing).
At recruitment all UK Biobank participants underwent an HbA1c test, which determines average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. Participants were divided into five groups according to the results – normal “low” blood sugar level, normoglycemia (with normal blood sugar concentration), prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and diabetes. Yield between 42–48 mmol / mol (6.0–6.5%) was classified as prediabetes.
The researchers used data from regular assessments of visual memory to determine whether or not participants had mental decline. Although overall rates of mental retardation were low, the incidence was higher in people with prediabetes and diabetes – 42% and 39% respectively.
Looking at dementia studies, researchers found that prediabetes was associated with a higher incidence of vascular dementia, a common form of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, but not Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, people with diabetes were three times more likely to develop vascular dementia than people whose blood sugar levels were classified as normal, and more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Senior author Professor Nishi Chaturvedi (MRC MRL Unit for Lifelong Health & Aging) said: “In this relatively young age group, the risks of mental decline and depression are significant. The additional risks we are seeing with elevated blood sugar are not only moderate but will increase overall levels of ill health, it will be important to see if these effects continue as people continue to aging, and where overall levels of disease are higher.
“Our results need to be replicated using other databases. If proven, they will open up questions about the potential benefits of diabetes screening. in the general population and whether we should get involved earlier. “
Among 35,418 participants of the UK Biobank study who underwent MRI brain scans, researchers found that something associated with prediabetes and hippocampus was smaller and more associated with receiving brain lesions (white matter hyperintensities, WMHs ) – both related to age-related psychology. damage.
The researchers said some of these differences could be explained by elevated blood pressure, as those participants who took antihypertensive medication tended to have more WMHs. and smaller hippocampal size. Instead of the treatment adversely affecting the brain, the researchers said the use of such medications could be a sign of previously untreated high blood pressure.
People with prediabetes can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet, being more active, and staying at a healthy weight.
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