Insulin resistance can lead to faster cognitive decline

The 20-year study was led by Prof.David Tanne and Prof. Uri Goldbourt and conducted by Dr. Miri Lutski, all of TAU’s Sackler School of Medicine.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Vaccination against the flu (photo credit: CLALIT HEALTH SERVICES)
Vaccination against the flu
(photo credit: CLALIT HEALTH SERVICES)
Chronic high levels of blood sugar and insulin resistance – which usually occur with uncontrolled diabetes and often accompany lack of exercise and obesity – increase the risk of more rapid decline in cognitive ability.
The findings by a Tel Aviv University team were just reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. According to the study, both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with insulin resistance experienced accelerated cognitive decline in executive function and memory.
The 20-year study was led by Prof.David Tanne and Prof. Uri Goldbourt and conducted by Dr. Miri Lutski, all of TAU’s Sackler School of Medicine.
Insulin resistance is a condition in which cells fail to respond normally to the hormone insulin. The resistance prevents muscle, fat and liver cells from easily absorbing glucose. As a result, the body requires higher levels of insulin to move glucose into its cells. Without sufficient insulin, excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to prediabetes, diabetes and other serious health disorders.
“These are exciting findings because they may help to identify a group of individuals at increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older age,” said Tanne. “We know that insulin resistance can be prevented and treated by lifestyle changes and certain insulin- sensitizing drugs. Exercising, maintaining a balanced and healthy diet and watching your weight will help you prevent insulin resistance and, as a result, protect your brain as you get older.”
The scientists followed a group of nearly 500 patients with existing cardiovascular disease for more than two decades. They first assessed the patients’ baseline insulin resistance using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), calculated using fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels. Cognitive functions were assessed with a computerized battery of tests that examined memory, executive function, visual spatial processing and attention. The follow-up assessments were conducted 15 years after the start of the study, then again five years later.
The findings showed that individuals in the top quarter of the HOMA index were at an increased risk for poor cognitive performance and accelerated cognitive decline, compared to those in the remaining three-quarters of the index. Adjusting for established cardiovascular risk factors and potentially confounding factors did not diminish these associations.
“This study lends support for more research to test the cognitive benefits of interventions such as exercise, diet and medications that improve insulin resistance in order to prevent dementia,” said Tanne. The researchers are currently studying the vascular and nonvascular mechanisms by which insulin resistance may affect cognition.