Diabetes, what is the effect on the brain?

Diabetes mellitus affects the whole body, including the brain. Recent research suggests diabetes mellitus (DM) slowing of mental function and increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Complications that occur in the brain are just one reason why we must control the diabetes.

The scientists did not yet know exactly how diabetes type 2 affects the brain as there are many factors involved. According to Alan Jacobson, a professor emeritus of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, high blood sugar may have a direct impact on nerve cells or cells in the nervous system support. It could also cause damage to blood vessels large and small. Another result is to reduce the supply of oxygen to the brain thus increasing the risk of stroke.

Diabetes mellitus begins with insulin resistance in which fat, muscle and liver cells are unable to use insulin. At first the reaction was the pancreas responds by pumping more insulin.

The same enzyme that breaks down insulin also break down a protein called beta-amyloid, which forms abnormally in the brains of Alzheimer patients. More and more enzymes that work break down insulin, the greater the accumulation of beta-amyloid.

A study conducted in Sweden found an increased risk of Alzheimer’s in people who suffer DM is from middle age. Risk of Alzheimer’s in people who suffer from diabetes at age 65 is smaller.

According to Margaret Gatz, professor of psychology at the University of Southern California, the United States said that the longer you have diabetes mellitus, the higher your risk of Alzheimer’s.