High blood sugar tied to memory loss
Blood sugar levels may be an indicator of risk for memory loss, according to new research.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that people with high blood sugar levels may be more at risk for memory loss and dementia, regardless of whether they already have diabetes.
Researchers analyzed 143 people with an average age of 63, who were free of diabetes and any memory or thinking impairments.
Participants had their brains scanned in order to measure the size of the region of the brain linked to memory. They were then required to take memory tests that entailed listening to, then recalling a list of 15 to 30 words.
The results showed that people who scored more poorly on the tests also had higher blood sugar levels.
The study suggest that lifestyle strategies targeted at improving blood sugar levels could be an effective method for preventing cognitive decline as people age.