Control of Diabetes can Lead to Improved Working Memory

NEW YORK (CogLabs Newswire) - Better metabolic control of type 2 diabetes can lead to improved "working memory" -- the type of memory people use to keep information in their minds for short-periods of time and to complete day-to-day activities.

"Many of the patients with type 2 diabetes may have evidence of mild cognitive dysfunction," Dr. Christopher M. Ryan, from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,said. "Improving metabolic control and reducing fasting plasma glucose (sugar) levels can lead to an improvement in learning and memory ability."

Ryan and colleagues investigated whether improvements in metabolic control could ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in 145 older adults with type 2 diabetes and if the improvements are mediated by changes in circulating insulin (with glyburide therapy) or insulin resistance (with rosiglitazone treatment).

Both treatments led to significant reductions in fasting blood sugar after 24 weeks, the authors report in Diabetes Care. Decreases in fasting insulin were seen only in those treated with rosiglitazone.

Working memory improved significantly in both treatment groups, the results indicate, and there were no differences between the glyburide and rosiglitazone groups.

Reductions in fasting plasma glucose were associated with improvements in working memory regardless of the drug used.

Neither treatment was associated with changes in measures of learning ability or cognitive efficiency, the researchers note.

This study, note the authors, shows that "treatment-induced reductions in fasting plasma glucose levels are accompanied by corresponding improvements in cognition, which occur within 24 weeks of therapy initiation."

"What's particularly interesting," Ryan added, "is the fact that we obtained these results in diabetic patients who were in relatively good control. We don't know whether the effects would have been even more pronounced had subjects been in consistently poorer control."

How long the improvement lasts "remains unknown," said Ryan. "Based on the findings of this study, there was no reason to favor one medication over the other, although there were fewer side effects associated with rosiglitazone."

In the study, published in the latest issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, researchers followed 6,424 subjects age 18 to 94 from the 1984-1985 UK Health and Lifestyle Survey to assess their scores on cognitive tests and risk of death over 19 years.

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Alzheimer's

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for AD and no way to slow the progression of the disease. For some people in the early or middle stages of AD, medication such as tacrine (Cognex) may alleviate some cognitive symptoms. Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl) may keep some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. A fifth drug, memantine (Namenda), was recently approved for use in the United States. Combining memantine with other AD drugs may be more effective than any single therapy. One controlled clinical trial found that patients receiving donepezil plus memantine had better cognition and other functions than patients receiving donepezil alone. Also, other medications may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. Prevention, through lifestyle changes and mental and physcial exercise, represents one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of getting the disease, coupled with regular, systematic monitoring.

What is the prognosis?

AD is a progressive disease, but its course can vary from 5 to 20 years. The most common cause of death in AD patients is infection. As the population ages and other diseases are brought under control - Alzheimer's becomes a major risk.

What research is being done?

Scientists are currently studying or testing different types of drugs and other substances to determine if they can stop AD progression, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), statins (such as those used for lowering cholesterol), folic acid, gingko biloba, huperzine, and vitamins E, B6, and B12. Studies in basic science are also exploring the potential of vaccines. Regular 'screenings' are being advocated by some - with the U.S. House of Representatives recently passing a bill in support of early memory check-ups. All advocate a regimen of physical exercise and mental exercise. If you start an exercise regimen or just walking use MemCheck to track your progress.

Read testimonials from scientists and physicians on MemCheck.

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Source: NIH and Cognitive Advisors. For a qualified medical opinion or diagnosis, please see your healthcare provider.

Famous People and Alzheimers: former President Ronald Reagan, Grambling University football coach Eddie Robinson, actor Charlton Heston, actor James Doohan.