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Cognitive and affective disorders in elderly diabetics.
P A Tun1, D M Nathan, L C Perlmuter
1Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts.
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) impairs complex memory tasks more than simple ones, similar to aging. Enhancing patient control may improve cognitive function and self-regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
Background:
- Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is linked to cognitive deficits, particularly in complex tasks involving memory storage and retrieval.
- This cognitive pattern in NIDDM resembles age-related cognitive decline, with deficits in long-term memory but not immediate memory.
- Factors like reduced glucose control, elevated triglycerides, depression, and neuropathy may contribute to cognitive impairment in NIDDM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nature of cognitive deficits in NIDDM patients compared to age-matched controls.
- To explore the potential role of factors such as glucose control, triglycerides, and depression in NIDDM-related cognitive impairment.
- To examine the impact of perceived control on cognitive performance in NIDDM patients.
Main Methods:
- Cognitive performance assessment comparing NIDDM patients and age-matched controls on tasks of varying complexity (e.g., immediate memory, complex cognitive tasks).
- Exploration of correlations between cognitive performance and metabolic factors (glucose control, triglycerides), depression levels, and neuropathy indicators.
- Intervention study assessing the effect of providing opportunities for increased control on cognitive task performance.
Main Results:
- NIDDM patients showed poorer performance on complex cognitive tasks requiring information storage and retrieval compared to controls.
- Performance on less demanding tasks like immediate memory and simple reaction time was equivalent between NIDDM patients and controls.
- Depression was associated with neuropathy and poorer glucose control, and enhancing perceived control improved cognitive performance in NIDDM patients.
Conclusions:
- NIDDM-induced cognitive deficits, particularly in complex memory, mirror age-related changes and may stem from reduced processing resources.
- Metabolic dysregulation and psychological factors like depression play a role in NIDDM cognitive impairment.
- Empowering NIDDM patients with greater control can enhance motivation, improve self-regulatory behaviors, and boost cognitive function.