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Association between improvements in insulin resistance and changes in cognitive function in elderly diabetic patients
Madoka Yanagawa1, Hiroyuki Umegaki, Tomoko Uno
1Departments of Geriatrics Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Geriatrics & Gerontology International
|March 18, 2011
Summary
This study found that a 12-week exercise program did not improve insulin resistance (IR) in elderly diabetic patients. However, improvements in IR were linked to better memory, and lower fasting blood sugar (FBS) correlated with improved cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Diabetology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cognitive dysfunction is rising in the elderly population.
- Diabetes is a known risk factor for cognitive decline.
- Exercise may improve insulin resistance (IR), but its direct impact on cognitive function in diabetics is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and cognitive dysfunction in elderly diabetic patients.
- To assess the effect of a 12-week exercise intervention on IR and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen elderly diabetic patients were divided into control and exercise groups.
- The exercise group used horse riding simulation equipment for 12 weeks.
- Insulin sensitivity was measured using the euglycemic clamp technique, and cognitive function was assessed with tests like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Trail Making Test B (TMT-B).
Main Results:
- No significant improvement in insulin resistance was observed after the 12-week exercise program.
- A significant correlation was found between changes in glucose infusion rate (a measure of IR) and memory function (delayed word list scores).
- Changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS) were significantly correlated with performance on the Trail Making Test B (TMT-B).
Conclusions:
- A 12-week exercise intervention did not significantly improve insulin resistance in elderly diabetic patients.
- Despite no significant improvement in IR, changes in IR were associated with improvements in memory.
- Reduced fasting blood sugar levels were linked to enhanced performance on a cognitive test assessing executive function and attention.
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