Type 2 diabetes could worsen cognitive ability

A new study has revealed that type 2 diabetes is linked with the reduction of certain cognitive abilities, known as executive functions.

The study led by University Of Waterloo explained that the executive functions inhibit habitual thinking patterns, knee-jerk emotional reactions and reflexive behaviours such as making impulse purchases or automatically following social cues.

Corrie Vincent, lead author of the study said that cognition was an integral part of brains because people rely on it when they are attempting to behave in a way that was contrary to their natural inclinations or what the environment impels them to do.

The study showed that individuals with type 2 diabetes experience burnout in managing their disease, and this inability of self-management was often a source of concern among family members, physicians and even the patients themselves.

Peter Hall, senior author of the study explained that the problem was the fact that effective diabetes management relies pretty heavily on executive function, and people with this disease especially requires more executive control, but because of the disease's effect on the brain there are less intact resources for exerting it.

The researcher advised individuals with type 2 diabetes to consistently monitor their dietary choices check their blood sugar and adhere to medication schedules, as it was associated with decreased quality of life and a number of microvascular and macrovascular complications if not properly managed.

The study paper is published in Psychosomatic Medicine.