How healthy is my brain?
This a question you probably should be asking yourself. That is, for the around 9% (about 350 million) of the world population diagnosed with diabetes, 29 million of whom live in the US, research recommends making brain health a top priority.
Diabetes and Brain Health Research
Not many people consider diminished brain health a complication of diabetes. Yet, research published in 2013 indicates a risk of brain atrophy with type 2 diabetes. Brain atrophy means that the cells in your brain (neurons) and the connections between them (synapses) are gone due to loss of cytoplasmic proteins. This study found that the greatest losses in grey matter occurred in medial temporal, anterior cingulate and medial frontal lobes of those with type 2 diabetes. These areas are involved with long-term memory (especially facts and events), empathy, decision-making and impulse control as well as planning, personality and social behavior.
A meta-analysis of 14 studies found that the risk of dementia was 60% higher in people with type 2 diabetes than people without diabetes. One type of dementia is vascular dementia. Vascular dementia results from interruption in the blood flow to the brain. This same study found that women with type 2 diabetes had over twice the risk of vascular dementia compared to women without the disease. Men with type 2 diabetes also had a higher risk than men without the disease.
Finally, there was a third study involving over 1000 participants who did not have dementia. It compared the brains of people diagnosed with diabetes between ages 40 and 64 (called midlife onset), people who were diagnosed with diabetes when they were 65 and older (late onset) and people who were never diagnosed with diabetes. Those who were diagnosed during midlife had significantly higher risk of medical conditions affecting their brains, including blood supply restrictions that caused damage and cell death. In fact, midlife onset of diabetes was associated with reductions in the size of important areas of the brain and overall reductions in total brain mass.
How to Protect Your Brain
Though diabetes and brain health may be linked, there are strategies that you can use to help protect your brain.
First and foremost, keep your diabetes in check. Staying in control of your diabetes is one of the best ways to keep your brain fit.
But you can do even more…here are some other helpful strategies you can use.
Being physically active has been shown to increase the amount of blood flowing to 
your hippocampus, the area of the brain that is responsible for memory. One study compared the brain volume of older adults who participated in aerobic fitness training with another group of older adults who participated in stretching and toning activities. Those who did aerobic training showed a significant increase in volume of both gray and white matter in their brains.
And we always hear about the developing child’s brain, its flexibility and ability to learn easily. Did you know that the adult brain also has neural stem cells and is able to generate new neurons throughout life? Research in September 2013 Nature supports that videogame play can improve cognitive functions for older adults.
Finally, there are indications that random acts of kindness, a positive outlook, participating in your community and mindfulness training are all beneficial to your brain.
The Bottom Line
People with diabetes are at greater risk for pathological changes to the brain. However, there are fun and positive actions that can be taken to intervene. How are your joystick skills? Space Invaders is waiting!
I am T2D and I found this article very enlightening, My mother who passed away at 83 almost a year ago also had T2D and suffered from dementia for the last 10 years of her life. I need to look after my brain better!!
Thank you so much for your comment. Kathleen
Hi Ron, I appreciate your comment. Take care, Kathleen
It makes perfect sense that the brain would be effected by diabetes, because diabetes is all pervasive (complications in the body) and the brain needs blood to function. However, the study/ies you’re writing about don’t mention type 1, but I imagine it would have a similar effect. I’ve been type 1 for 29 years, but recently went back to uni to finish my degree in psychology and I couldn’t be happier with the quality of work I’m producing, but interestingly only after taking Omega 3 oil. I haven’t read any studies concerning that, but the proof for me would be in the speed and level of comprehension I’m experiencing, and the feedback on my work which is in the top range compared to my classmates. So perhaps that’s another thing to add to the list of activities to ensure that atrophy is less likely, along with a good diet.
Thank you for sharing your opinion. Best, Kathleen