A recent study conducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institutet confirms that both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are associated with accelerated brain aging. The researchers used MRI brain scans to analyze the brains of over 31,000 individuals between the ages of 40 and 70 from the UK Biobank. They found that individuals with prediabetes had brains that were 0.5 years older, while those with type 2 diabetes had brains that were 2.3 years older than their chronological age. The study also revealed that the gap between brain age and chronological age increased over time in individuals with diabetes, but this effect was reduced in participants who engaged in healthy lifestyle behaviors such as high physical activity, not smoking, and abstaining from heavy alcohol drinking.
Researchers estimate that there are about 540 million people worldwide with diabetes, with almost 98% of them being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, around 720 million individuals have prediabetes. Previous studies have linked both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes to an increased risk for brain-related health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and vascular dementia. Abigail Dove, a PhD student at the Karolinska Institutet, emphasized the importance of understanding how diabetes and prediabetes impact brain health, especially as people with these conditions age.
The study conducted by Dove and her team also explored the potential biological pathways through which diabetes may impact brain health. Factors such as hyperglycemia, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance were identified as contributors to accelerated brain aging in individuals with diabetes. Additionally, micro- and macrovascular complications of diabetes can lead to brain atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular pathologies that may increase the risk for neurodegeneration.
Scott Kaiser, MD, a board-certified geriatrician, and Director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA, emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and effectively managing diabetes to reduce the risk of dementia. Kaiser noted that while the study shows associations between diabetes and accelerated brain aging, causality is not yet fully established. He stressed the need for more prospective studies to prove the direct causal impact and pathways to brain health, as well as interventions that can leverage this information to prevent dementia on a population level.
The study’s findings suggest that lifestyle factors such as not smoking, engaging in high physical activity, and avoiding heavy alcohol consumption can help offset the negative effects of diabetes on brain health. By making healthy lifestyle choices, individuals with diabetes can potentially improve their brain health and reduce their risk of accelerated brain aging. Dove highlighted the importance of taking actionable steps to improve brain health in individuals with diabetes by focusing on modifiable lifestyle factors that can have a positive impact on overall brain health.
As the global population ages, the risk of developing dementia is expected to rise significantly. Kaiser emphasized the need to start thinking about the best strategies for preventing dementia on a large scale. The findings from this study provide valuable insight into potential targets for lifestyle interventions to promote brain health and reduce the risk of dementia. By focusing on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and effectively managing diabetes, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their brain health as they age.
