Older adults living with type 2 diabetes are more likely to exhibit a significantly thinner brain cortex compared to those without the condition, latest evidence has shared.
Researchers have found that type 2 diabetes can particularly affect regions of the brain responsible for memory and cognition.
Poor blood sugar control can trigger this structural brain change, scans from a diverse population sample have highlighted.
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An association between brain thinning and type 2 diabetes was most common among Hispanic participants, the study has reported.
Efficient diabetes management and treatment can prevent cognitive decline among older adults, according to the results.
Previous studies have revealed that type 2 diabetes can trigger several health complications impacting the immune, nervous and circulatory systems.
Senior author Amaryllis A. Tsiknia said: “Since blood sugar levels can be managed with proper treatment and lifestyle interventions, our findings highlight the potential for protecting brain health through better diabetes management.”
Co-author Professor Meredith N Braskie said: “The disparities we observed by ethnic and racial group suggest that more work is needed to understand how exposures to various risk factors can work together in distinct ways across different people to determine brain health.
“Gaining this understanding is the first step in advancing personalised care that best protects the brain and cognition for each individual.”
Arthur W Toga, Stevens INI director, said: “This study and its results highlight the significant role of large-scale initiatives like HABS-HD, which is the most comprehensive study of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in diverse communities.
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“HABS-HD provides invaluable data, including interviews, functional exams, blood draws, cognitive testing, brain MRIs and clinical lab work.”
He added: “This data can lead to significant discoveries, such as this study’s link between type 2 diabetes and cortical thickness, underscoring the importance of the large-scale and global initiatives we specialise in at the Stevens INI.”
The study has been published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.
