Diabetes effects can mimic Alzheimer’s, study finds

Type 2 diabetes has long been known to cause a variety of medical issues, from heart disease to vision problems. However, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) suggests that diabetes could also impact memory and other cognitive functions in ways similar to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Lead researcher and UNLV psychology professor James Hyman explained, “Diabetes may be altering the brain similarly to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.” The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in The Journal of Neuroscience, observed brain activity and behavior in rodent models to determine how type 2 diabetes could “rewire” the brain.

Previous studies have indicated that individuals with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders. The researchers hypothesized that high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes may impact the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the brain. The ACC plays a crucial role in cognitive and emotional functions, including motivation, decision-making, goal-tracking, pleasure-seeking, reward processing, and emotional regulation.

In people with diabetes, high blood sugar levels impair reward signals from the hippocampus to the ACC. This disruption in the brain’s reward system could explain why individuals with diabetes may struggle with making decisions, goal-setting, and emotional regulation.

Dr. Adam Scioli, chief medical officer at Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, noted that substances like sugar that overwhelm the brain’s reward system can have lasting impacts on cognitive and working memory. He also highlighted the similarities between the impact of diabetes on brain function and addiction, as both conditions involve altered hippocampus-ACC connectivity.

While the study was conducted in rodent models and may not directly translate to human conditions, Hyman emphasized the importance of monitoring blood glucose levels for individuals with diabetes. He recommended following doctors’ orders closely to keep blood glucose levels stable, as extreme fluctuations could increase vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease.

Hyman’s team plans to conduct further research to explore the connection between diabetes and brain function. Ultimately, understanding how diabetes affects cognitive function could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for the disease. By being patient and proactive in managing diabetes, individuals can take steps to protect their brain health and mitigate cognitive decline.