Type 2 diabetes impairs mental functioning

Recent study results have confirmed those of previous studies, which suggested that type 2 diabetes impairs cognitive function.

Researchers at Canada's University of Alberta analyzed data from adults with and without adult-onset Type 2 diabetes who were taking part in the Victoria Longitudinal Study, which assesses biomedical, health, cognitive, and neurocognitive aspects of aging. Results showed that type 2 diabetes impaired executive functioning and speed of thought, and that these impairments appear in the early stages of the disease and persist into old age.

The number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has risen dramatically in recent years. Thus, the results of this study are important as they suggest that that more and more adults may soon be living with mild but lasting cognitive impairment.

Study co-author Roger Dixon, PhD, says that people with type 2 diabetes may benefit from cognitive monitoring or training programs. He believes that “proper management” may enable people to “compensate for these declines”.

News release: Adult-onset diabetes slows mental functioning in several ways, with deficits appearing early. American Psychological Association. January 5th 2008.