ALEXANDRIA, VA, Jan 26, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Higher average blood
glucose (sugar) levels in people with type 2 diabetes are linked to lower
cognitive functioning, according to a study published online today in the
journal Diabetes Care.
The ongoing Memory in Diabetes (MIND) study, a sub-study of the Action to
Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial, found that higher levels
of hemoglobin A1C levels (a measure of the average blood glucose levels over a
2-3 month period) are significantly associated with poorer performance on three
cognitive tasks, which require memory, speed and the ability to manage multiple
tasks at the same time. A higher A1C level was also associated with a lower
score on a test of global cognitive function
Previous studies have shown that people with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely
to experience cognitive decline and dementia than people without diabetes. The
MIND results suggest diabetes may be associated with mild cognitive impairment.
"Even a mild impairment in cognitive function is of concern for people with type
2 diabetes," said lead researcher Dr. Tali Cukierman-Yaffe, of the Gertner
Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research, Endocrinology Institute at
Sheba Medical Center & Sackler School of Medicine at Tel-Aviv University in
Israel. However, these results are cross-sectional so it is not yet known
whether higher levels of blood sugar increase the risk for cognitive impairment
or whether impairment decreases the ability to control blood sugar levels. This
will be answered in the ongoing ACCORD-MIND study, in which study patients are
followed over time and are tested three times during the trial. One aim of this
ACCORD-MIND follow-up is to test the hypothesis that lowering A1C could result
in improved cognitive function.
The ACCORD-MIND study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, in
collaboration with the ACCORD trial funded by the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute (NHLBI). Additional support came from the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Eye Institute,
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To obtain a copy of the
paper, please contact Dayle Kern at dkern@diabetes.org.
To reach lead researcher Tali Cukierman-Yaffe, email cukierm@mcmaster.ca.
To reach the senior author Lenore J. Launer, email nianews3@mail.nih.gov.
Diabetes Care, published by the American Diabetes Association, is the leading
peer-reviewed journal of clinical research into one of the nation's leading
causes of death by disease. Diabetes also is a leading cause of heart disease
and stroke, as well as the leading cause of adult blindness, kidney failure, and
non-traumatic amputations.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly
consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The
Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers
services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible
information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the
lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the
American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit
www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English
and Spanish.
Contact:
Dayle Kern
ADA
(703) 549-1500 ext. 2290
SOURCE: American Diabetes Association