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Type 2 diabetes associated with verbal skill decline in older people

DCUK NewsBot

DCUK NewsBot

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Type 2 diabetes may affect brain function earlier than researchers first thought, evidence has suggested. An Australian study set out to look at how dementia affects brain health. Whilst diabetes has been associated with greater risks of dementia, there is evidence to suggest that the risk could be reduced through following a healthy lifestyle and achieving healthy blood glucose levels. The trial involved 705 people for four-and-a-half years who did not have dementia. Of that number, 348 had type 2 diabetes. Those who had diabetes and participated were a bit younger, aged roughly about 68, compared with the average of 72 of the volunteers who did not have the condition. Throughout the trial all participants underwent brain scans to look for tissue shrinkage - known as brain atrophy. They also took part in cognitive tests assessing verbal skills. Those with diabetes already displayed evidence of smaller brain volume at the beginning, suggesting that changes to the brain start much earlier than first thought in those with diabetes, perhaps even in middle age. However, no additional brain shrinkage was seen over the course of the study. Lead author Michele Callisaya, from the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia, said: "Recommendations for good brain health include physical activity, following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, checking blood pressure and cholesterol, mentally challenging the brain and enjoying social activities." The team also found evidence to suggest that diabetes impacts older people's speech skills, known as verbal fluency. Those without the condition did not experience a decline at all. The researchers did note that all the participants with type 2 diabetes had well-controlled blood sugar levels. This could mean that those who have greater difficulty controlling their diabetes, might experience greater brain changes over time. The findings have been published in the Diabetologia journal. The researchers concluded: "In older community-dwelling people, type 2 diabetes is associated with decline in verbal memory and fluency over 5 years. The effect of diabetes on brain atrophy may begin earlier (midlife)."

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From what I have read brain volume is a pretty crude measure of brain function except at extremes.
Did any researcher think to test subjects B12 levels? Some on metformin, presumably diabetics only, may have had low levels affecting their brain function, and how many subjects might have had under-active thyroid causing brain function problems, or undiagnosed coeliac disease causing vitamin and /or mineral deficiencies and brain problems ??
Maybe I am missing the detail but unless all the causes are considered what use is the study ??
 
I definitely believe that T2 has IMPROVED this OAP's verbal skills, I've now acquired the ability to frequently swear like a seasoned trooper...:bag:

Robbity
 
kitedoc said:
Maybe I am missing the detail but unless all the causes are considered what use is the study ??
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As all research from Tasmaia, mostly greeny bull scheiss.
britishpub said:
After reading this forum I sometimes think it also affects typing skill :watching:
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Majority of those come from younger people as well.
Robbity said:
I definitely believe that T2 has IMPROVED this OAP's verbal skills, I've now acquired the ability to frequently swear like a seasoned trooper...:bag:

Robbity
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I can hold my own with people half my age in a conversation, which also may contain profanitys.
 
And from the profane to the sublime! Yes the rock species in Tassie have much to answer for.
But I thank whichever geologist came up with the useful term 'Scheiss', or it is a German word?
Nothing, absolutely nothing will stop a mature Aussie losing his/her vocab of profanities.
It is on such a backbone that Oz was built.
 
kitedoc said:
Nothing, absolutely nothing will stop a mature Aussie losing his/her vocab of profanities.
It is on such a backbone that Oz was built.
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My first boss was a master at stringing profanity's together in to a poetical form, a pure joy to listen to sometimes when you were not on the receiving end of such verse.
 
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