The global number of cases of type-2 diabetes are projected to soar, with 382 million cases in 2013 predicted to reach 592 million by 2035. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF; Belgium) warns that the epidemic of type-2 diabetes, is quickly rising – in large part due to a contemporary sedentary lifestyle and obesity. In the “Diabetes Atlas, Sixth Edition,” the IDF reports that the number of people with type 2 diabetes is increasing in every country, with those between 40 and 59 years of age the most affected. The country with the most diabetics overall is China, where the case load is expected to rise to 142.7 million in 2035 from 98.4 million at present.
[IDF Diabetes Atlas, Sixth Edn. International Diabetes Federation, November 2013.]
Type-2 diabetes potentially exerts adverse effects on brain health. People who develop type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure in middle age are more likely to have brain cell loss and other damage to the brain, as well as problems with memory and thinking skills. A number of previous studies suggest that type-2 diabetes may precipitate other medical conditions. Rosebud O. Roberts, from the Mayo Clinic (Minnesota, USA), and colleagues studied 1,437 men and women, average age 80 years. The participants had either no thinking or memory issues, or mild memory and thinking problems (mild cognitive impairment, MCI). Subjects underwent brain scans to look for markers of brain damage that can be a precursor to dementia. Participants’ medical records were reviewed to determine whether they had been diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure in middle age or later. For diabetes, the researchers observed that 72 people developed it in middle age, 142 in old age and 1,192 did not have diabetes. Compared to people who did not have diabetes, those subjects who developed diabetes in middle age had total brain volume an average of 2.9% smaller. In the hippocampus area of the brain, the volume was 4% smaller. They were also twice as likely to have thinking and memory problems. Tue study authors report that: “Midlife onset of diabetes may affect late-life cognition through loss of brain volume.”
[Roberts RO, Knopman DS, Przybelski SA, Mielke MM, Kantarci K, Preboske GM, et al. “Association of type 2 diabetes with brain atrophy and cognitive impairment.” Neurology. 2014 Apr 1;82(13):1132-41.
As well, depression in patients with type 2 diabetes is a significant risk factor for dementia. Researchers from the University of Seattle (Washington, USA) assessed whether depression raises the risks of cognitive impairment, among type-2 diabetics. Mark Sullivan and colleagues completed a 40-month cohort study of 2,977 subjects enrolled in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes-Memory in Diabetes (ACCORD-MIND) trial. Depressed patients showed consistently greater declines in cognitive function on three separate assessment tests, even after adjustment for confounding factors Observing that: “Depression in patients with type 2 diabetes was associated with greater cognitive decline in all domains, across all treatment arms, and in all participant subgroups assessed,” the study authors submit that: “Future randomized trials will be necessary to determine if depression treatment can lower the risk of cognitive decline in patients with diabetes.”
[Sullivan MD, Katon WJ, Lovato LC, Miller ME, Murray AM, Horowitz KR, et al. “Association of Depression With Accelerated Cognitive Decline Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in the ACCORD-MIND Trial.” JAMA Psychiatry. 2013 Aug 14.]
From an anti-aging perspective, lifestyle, dietary, and other natural approaches may serve as effective ways to reduce the odds of developing type-2 diabetes, and to manage the condition as well. Recognizing and understanding disease risk factors is the first step.
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