Blood glucose peaks and dementia

Scientists know that diabetics have a higher risk of dementia, but how much does the variability in glucose levels matter?

Researchers from Johns Hopkins and the University of Mississippi studied records of nearly 13,000 participants, assessing cognitive status using three neuropsychological tests at three visits over 21 years. The study, published in Diabetes Care journal, showed diabetics with an A1c of less than 7 percent and glucose peaks (indicated by low levels of 1,5-AG) had a 19 percent higher decline than those without peaks. For those with an A1c of 7 percent or higher and glucose peaks, the decline was 38 percent higher than for those without peaks.

The findings show the importance of monitoring glucose peaks as well as average glycemia, since the two factors can affect dementia risk in different ways. “The mechanisms by which diabetes leads to cognitive impairment are not well understood,” the study authors write. “If glucose peaks in persons with diabetes contribute to long-term cognitive decline and dementia above and beyond average hyperglycemia, they may also offer additional targets for prevention.”

Pamela Tabar

Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master’s degree in English from the University of York, England.