A recent study conducted at Michigan Medicine has shed light on the subtle ways that type 2 diabetes, especially when experienced over many years, affects the brain’s structure and function.
The research involved 51 middle-aged Pima American Indians living with type 2 diabetes. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to examine their brain structure, and tests were conducted to evaluate their memory and language abilities.
The results revealed that those who had managed type 2 diabetes for an extended period showed alterations in their brain.
Specifically, the outer layer of their brain was somewhat thinner, they had a reduced amount of gray matter, and there were more white spots in their brains than usual.
Surprisingly, these brain changes did not correspond to impairments in memory and language skills, as their test performance was just as proficient as those without diabetes.
Evan Reynolds, one of the study’s contributors, emphasized the significance of these brain composition changes, underscoring the need to monitor thinking and memory functions in individuals with type 2 diabetes carefully.
The study also found a correlation between other diabetes-related health issues, such as kidney problems or heart nerve problems, and brain alterations. Individuals with diabetes and additional health challenges were more likely to experience brain changes.
Eva Feldman, a senior member of the research team, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the potential risks of diabetes on the brain and the need to prioritize brain health in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
The study was conducted by experts from various institutions, including Michigan Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Monash University, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, with support from organizations like Novo Nordisk, the American Academy of Neurology, and others.
This research serves as a reminder of the importance of exploring health conditions like diabetes from multiple angles to gain valuable insights that can enhance care and management strategies.
If you’re interested in further exploration, various studies worldwide are diving into different aspects of diabetes, including innovative methods for early detection of diabetes-related blindness and the impact of dietary habits on individuals with diabetes.
The detailed study is available in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology for those interested in the scientific aspects of this research.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Widely prescribed drug may increase sudden cardiac arrest risk in people with diabetes and findings of These common drugs linked to sudden cardiac arrest in people with type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that low calorie diets may help reverse diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
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