Researchers have found that prediabetes can affect brain health.
People with prediabetes have higher than normal blood sugar levels but are not high enough to qualify for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
A team from University College London (UCL) claims to have found a link between the condition and cognitive decline.
A study of 500,000 people around the age of 58 found that people were 42% more likely to experience frequent confusion or memory loss over a four-year period.
However, over a period of eight years, the risk of developing vascular dementia rose to 54%.
The main author Dr. Victoria Garfield of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science and the UCL MRC Division of Lifelong Health and Aging said, “Our research shows a possible link between higher blood sugar levels, a condition often referred to as ‘prediabetes,’ and higher risks of cognitive decline and vascular dementia.
“As an observational study, it cannot be shown that higher blood sugar levels lead to deterioration in brain health. However, we believe there is a possible link that needs further investigation.
“Previous research has found a link between poor cognitive outcomes and diabetes, but our study is the first to look at how relatively high blood sugar levels, not yet diabetes, can affect brain health.”
The study included testing how different blood sugar levels were related to brain health over time and cognitive tests. They used MRI brain scans to measure any changes.
Senior author Professor Nishi Chaturvedi of UCL’s MRC Department of Lifelong Health and Aging added, “In this relatively young age group, the risks of cognitive decline and dementia are very low. The excessive risks that we observe in relation to high blood sugar only marginally increase the absolute disease rates. It will be important to see if these effects persist with age and where the absolute disease rates become higher.
“Our results also have to be replicated with other data sets. When confirmed, they raise questions about the potential benefits of diabetes screening in the general population and whether we should take action sooner. “
The results were published in the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
