New links between stress and diabetics’ memory loss
March 1st, 2010 Posted in NewsResearchers from the University of Edinburgh have looked at the memory function of more than 900 type-2 diabetics, and found that stress increases the risk of memory loss.
Type-2 diabetes is characterised by high blood glucose levels and tends to be more common after the age of 40. The Edinburgh Type-2 diabetes study was set up in 2006 to identify risk factors for memory, which is a recognised symptom of this type of diabetes.
This study, published by Diabetes Care, examined the mental abilities, intelligence, and vocabulary of individuals to see if brain function had diminished over a period of time. Factors such as cardiovascular disease, smoking and education were taken into consideration. It was found that brain function had slowed in individuals with higher levels of cortisol, thus linking this stress hormone with the memory loss associated with type-2 diabetes.
“This study shows that older people with diabetes who have higher levels of stress hormones in their blood are more likely to have experienced cognitive decline. It may be that by regulating cortisol levels, we could help improve cognitive decline in patients with type-2 diabetes”, said Dr Rebecca Reynolds of the University’s Centre for Cardiovascular Science.
- Katherine Staines
