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Dysglycemia, brain volume and vascular lesions on MRI in a memory clinic population

Lieza G Exalto1, Wiesje M van der Flier2, Philip Scheltens3

  • 1Alzheimer Centre, Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications
|January 29, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

In memory clinic patients, abnormal glucose metabolism (dysglycemia) did not correlate with brain volume or vascular damage on MRI scans. This suggests dysglycemia is not linked to specific brain pathologies in those with cognitive complaints.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Endocrinology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Cognitive impairment is common in memory clinic populations.
  • The relationship between glucose metabolism abnormalities (dysglycemia) and brain damage (degenerative or vascular) is not fully understood.
  • Investigating dysglycemia's link to brain pathology is crucial for understanding cognitive decline.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between dysglycemia and brain volume.
  • To assess the relationship between dysglycemia and vascular brain lesions using MRI.
  • To determine if dysglycemia is linked to specific brain pathologies in patients with cognitive complaints.

Main Methods:

  • 274 memory clinic patients were analyzed.
  • Markers of glycemia (HbA1c, fasting glucose) were measured.
  • Brain MRI assessed normalized brain volume, medial temporal lobe atrophy, white matter hyperintensities, and lacunes using linear regression.

Main Results:

  • No significant association was found between HbA1c or fasting glucose levels and brain MRI measurements across the study population.
  • Secondary analyses, stratified by diabetes status, diagnosis, and age, did not alter the primary findings.
  • The study included patients with subjective complaints, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias.

Conclusions:

  • Dysglycemia was not associated with brain volume or vascular lesions in this memory clinic cohort.
  • The findings indicate that dysglycemia is not linked to a specific type of brain pathology in patients presenting with cognitive complaints.
  • Further research may be needed to explore other potential factors influencing cognitive function in relation to glucose metabolism.
Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseaseBrain atrophyDiabetesGlucoseHbA1cHippocampusLacunesMild cognitive impairmentWhite matter hyperintensities

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