A
new study found that a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) can
negatively affect the structures and functions of the brain. As diabetes is
most commonly associated with numerous conditions affecting the heart, kidneys
and other parts of the body, the current association of the metabolic disorder
with neurological health is rather new.
The
researchers conducted the study by enrolling 65 participants in a 2-year
prospective investigation. Baseline data were collated and compared with the
results after the study was completed. The cerebral perfusion in global and
regional parts of the brain, as well as its vasoreactivity, were measured using
constant arterial spin labeling at 3-tesla MRI. The researchers also looked
into the relationship between the reactivity rate of the blood vessels in the
brain, the parameters indicating inflammation and the cognitive abilities of
the study subjects through least squares models.
The
findings of the study published in the journal Neurology show that after
2 years, numerous cognitive functions and global and regional reactivity of
blood vessels in the brain decreased in the participants diagnosed with T2DM
compared with the previously collected data at the start of the study. The
researchers were able to establish a link between lower cerebral vasoreactivity
and more decline in daily tasks, as well as between crude global dilation of
blood vessels and greater decrease in executive functions.
The
researchers were also able to identify that the flexibility of the blood
vessels of the T2DM group were
reduced while those without diabetes exhibited little change. As diabetes can
cause less-efficient flow to the different parts of the body, including the
brain, daily functions may be impaired.
When
an individual does any activity, the tendency of the blood vessels is to dilate
slightly as blood rushes toward the body organ involved in that particular task
and subsequently provide oxygen and nutrients for efficient execution. However,
when blood sugar levels are increased in the blood, the vessels become less
reactive and malleable so that adequate perfusion is typically not attained.
"When
doing any task, from cognition to moving your fingers, you need to increase
blood flow to that specific area of the brain," says Dr. Vera Novak, co- author and associate professor of
neurology at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
"With diabetes, however, that vasodilation ability is reduced,
so you have fewer resources to perform any task."
The
team of researchers continues to expand their study as they now look into the
possible ways that can help to enhance brain functions through blood vessel
modification and other measures. An example of a possible intervention
associated with this new aim is the administration of insulin via inhalation or
hypertensive drugs to restore the activities of the blood vessels.
