WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Feb 12, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. researchers found as
average blood glucose levels rose over a period of two to three months,
cognitive test scores declined.
"This study adds to the growing evidence that poorer blood glucose control is
strongly associated with poorer memory function and that these associations can
be detected well before a person develops severe memory loss," principal study
investigator Dr. Jeff Williamson of the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center's
Roena Kulynych Center for Memory and Cognition Research said in a statement.
Williamson said a little known complications of type 2 diabetes is memory
decline leading to dementia, particularly Alzheimer's dementia.
"Patients also need to be open to having a family member periodically making
sure they are keeping track of managing their diabetes through monitoring, diet,
exercise and medication," he said.
This study, part of the ongoing Memory in Diabetes study, a sub-study of the
Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Trial, did not find an
association between daily blood glucose levels measured by a fasting plasma
glucose test and test scores.
Nearly 3000 patients age 55 years or older were tested at 52 of the 77 study
sites throughout the United States and Canada.
The findings are published in the journal Diabetes Care.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International