Link Between Insulin Resistance And Brain Health In Elderly

[snagglepuss]

snip

In a new study, Christian Benedict, together with colleagues from Uppsala University (Samantha Brooks, Håkan Ahlström, Lars Lind, and Helgi Schiöth), the UK, and the US, have systematically studied 331 men and women at the age of 75 years. The researchers examined whether insulin sensitivity is tied to brain health. The brain structure of each participant was measured using magnetic imaging technology, so-called MRT, and their language skills were tested by asking them to name as many animals as possible in one minute (so-called verbal fluency).

"We found that in elderly whose insulin sensitivity was still high, the brains were larger, and they had more grey matter in regions that are important for language skills, compared with those who had diminished insulin sensitivity. We also observed that higher insulin sensitivity was associated with better scores on the language test. Our findings offer a possible explanation for why methods that improve insulin sensitivity, such as exercise, are promising strategies for counteracting cognitive aging late in life," says Christian Benedict.




http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/241082.php

[mzteris]

1. I wonder what the implications are

For the non-elderly are?

[saras]

2. To a crude approximation - whatever gives you diabetes also makes you dumb

[mzteris]

5. My 13 yo son has insulin resistance.

He's not "dumb" by any means - in fact is on the honor-roll and reads/writes fluent Spanish.

However, he does have some "mid-term memory" issues - his short term is good and his long term is good, but somewhere in the middle it's lacking. Which makes for some interesting experiences on his part. At any rate, I wonder what effect, if any, his "pre-diabetes" is having on HIS cognitive function.

He's rarely ever sick - I'm not sure he's EVER had any antibiotics - though maybe once or twice (three kids, plus 4 fosters & you get 'em confused after a while ).

[saras]

6. I said "a crude approximation". You may already have more information than I...

They do seem to be compiling a lot of useful information on diabetes that wasn't available a decade or two ago. But this seems to be a bit of semi-random knowledge, and not a piece that holds anything useful together.

We know there is nerve damage associated with diabetes, but I've always heard it was circulation-related. Maybe not.

Good luck finding more information (hint - look somewhere other than DU).

[enough]

4. Now that I'm 68, I've realized there's no such thing as the non-elderly.

Only the pre-elderly.

It takes a while to develop type-2 diabetes. If you have it when you're elderly, you started developing it long before that.

There is some room for optimism at the end of the article:

Snip>

Our findings offer a possible explanation for why methods that improve insulin sensitivity, such as exercise, are promising strategies for counteracting cognitive aging late in life," says Christian Benedict.

[lunasun]

3. Physical and mental reprocussions!

[DillonP4C]

7. Other ways to improve memory, and a question

This is very interesting! I didn't know that a lack of insulin or insulin sensitivity could cause cognitive decline. Diabetes runs in my family (on both sides) and my grandfather has been experiencing memory issues. I never thought that perhaps a lack of insulin/insulin sensitivity could be causing this.

I ordered a bottle of Neuro Boost Piracetam a few months back, as I've read that Piracetam is used in many countries to help people with Alzheimer's disease as well as for improving cognitive functions. His memory has showed improvement, which makes me happy to see. I was worried that it could have been Alzheimer's beginning to set in on him (huge fear of seeing someone suffer through this after my father told me about his grandfather's suffering through it). However maybe it could be his diabetes effecting him (a lesser of two evils compared to Alzheimer's IMHO). He's also taking Omega-3 Fish Oil, Choline Bitartrate, and Huperzine to help his memory, considering he still works.

Back to the insulin would there be a way to improve Insulin sensitivity for someone? If this is what is causing my grandfather issues, then I would like to know/find a way he can seek help for this. Or is this something not achievable? Sorry for the questions, and my naivety on the subject. I personally don't have diabetes or symptoms of it yet, so I don't know much about it aside from what some of my family members have experienced and shared with me.