Type 2 diabetes has long been known to have a negative impact on the brain. However, research now proves, people with the disease faster brain shrinkage making it easier to experience cognitive decline.
 |
| Type 2 diabetes— long known to have an adverse effect on the brain— has now been linked with the loss of brain matter. (Picture from: http://fxn.ws/1mYF07x) |
Using the technique of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the researchers analyzed the brain structures of 614 patients with an average age of 62 years. Participants were included in the study had previously been diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes for about 10 years. They found that long-term diabetes associated with a large shrinkage of brain tissue, causing brain atrophy.
Lead researcher Nick Bryan, chairman and professor of the department of radiology at Perleman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, said the general perception has been the effect of diabetes on the brain is associated with vascular disease due to diabetes, then there was a stroke.
"But it turns out diabetes also causes shrinkage of brain tissue. We think this is a direct effect of diabetes on the brain," he said.
The researchers noted, the biggest depreciation contained in the gray area of the brain. Shrinkage in this region often associated with the start of the decline in nerve function. That is why, patients with diabetes have a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
"People with diabetes are not necessarily experiencing Alzheimer's, but most of them have the cognitive skills and the ability to think the worse as they age," said Bryan.
According to the study, every 10 years, people with diabetes, the decreased brain function two years sooner than people without diabetes. "One thing is clear, the negative effect of diabetes on the brain looks more significantly longer in those exposed to the disease," he explained.
Bryan suggested that patients make best efforts to manage diabetes and blood sugar to minimize or prevent brain damage due to diabetes in later life. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCEDAILY]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
