How Diabetes Can Affect Your Brain

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious chronic health issues that can affect every organ in your body. The long-term effects of diabetes can result in cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. Diabetic nephropathy or chronic kidney disease is another serious potential complication of the disease. So too are diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage and vision loss from diabetic retinopathy because of damage to the retina.

Many are not aware that diabetes also can affect your brain, your body’s command center. Like all the organs in your body, the brain uses blood glucose (sugar) for energy. However, the energy demands of the brain exceed the other organs, requiring half of all the sugar energy you need to function properly.

When blood sugar levels fall outside your normal range – whether too high or too low – the resulting diabetes can damage nerves in your brain throwing it off center and resulting in diabetes brain disorders. Diabetes can damage brain blood vessels, causing a stroke or memory loss, leading to problems with memory and learning, shifts in mood, weight gain, and hormonal changes. Serious problems like Alzheimer’s can develop.[1]

Diabetes brain disorders

Stroke

Among diabetes brain disorders is stroke. Diabetes stroke risk is greater than if you do not have the disease. The American Stroke Association reports diabetes stroke risk connections include: [2]

·         Adults who have diabetes are two times as likely to have a stroke compared to people who do not have diabetes.

·         People with diabetes tend to develop heart disease or have a stroke at an earlier age than people without diabetes.

·         People with prediabetes have an increased risk not only for developing Type 2 diabetes, but also for heart disease and stroke.

·         Every two minutes an American adult with diabetes is hospitalized for stroke.

To understand the risk of stroke when you have diabetes, you first need to understand the connection between glucose and energy. Glucose comes from the food we eat. Insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas, moves glucose from the bloodstream into your body’s cells, which use it for energy and other essential processes.

The reason for the increased diabetes stroke risk is because having diabetes means that your body cannot either make insulin, which is the case with Type 1, or the pancreas does not make enough insulin, as with Type 2.  Untreated diabetes can lead to too much glucose in the blood, which, over time, can result in increased fatty deposits or clots in blood vessels. These clots can narrow or block blood vessels in the brain or neck. This cuts off the blood supply, which stops oxygen from getting to the brain, causing a stroke.[3]

Cognitive decline and loss of memory

In 2015, a team of researchers published a review[4] of research conducted over the prior two decades to determine the impact of diabetes on cognitive function and brain structure. They reported that the studies indicated those with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have been shown to have mild to moderate declines in cognitive functions as measured by neuropsychological testing compared to non-diabetic control. In addition, Type 2 diabetes has been associated with a 50 percent increased risk of dementia.

Researchers noted that the effect of diabetes on the brain was known for over 100 years. Researchers and clinicians in the early 20^th century noted that people with diabetes frequently complained of poor memory and attention.

Cognitive decline and memory loss from diabetes, especially when it is uncontrolled, can stem from:[5]

·         High blood sugar levels damaging brain blood vessels, reducing the supply of oxygen, which leads to cognitive decline.

·         Resistance to insulin may contribute to the buildup of beta-amyloid plaque, which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

·         Diabetes can cause chronic inflammation, which can further accelerate cognitive decline.

Neuropathy and nerve damage

Studies show that diabetic peripheral neuropathy may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. In 2021, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to improve knowledge about individuals with Type 1 or Type 1 diabetes who also had diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The meta-analysis found that individuals with Type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy had a lower mean cognitive performance than those without the neuropathy. Depression was associated with impaired cognitive function in this group, too.

Researchers concluded that results supported the presence of both global and domain-specific cognitive impairment in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Mood

Dealing with a life-threatening illness such as diabetes can cause stress. Mental stressors can cause increased blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. For people with Type 1, mental stressors can produce a more variable response. They can either increase or decrease blood glucose.  In turn, stress can lead to unhealthy behavior, including poor eating habits or smoking, which can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. These conditions can make managing diabetes even more challenging. [6]

Also, having diabetes can cause depression, which results in poorer health outcomes. The CDC reports that people with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes.[7]

Other diabetic brain disorders include:[8]

Brain shrinkage: Individuals with diabetes may experience faster brain shrinkage, which can affect areas of the brain responsible for decision-making and memory. Problems in concentration, problem-solving and daily functioning may result.

Brain energy metabolism impairment: The brain needs glucose for proper functionality. Insulin resistance can hinder efficient use of glucose in brain cells. This leads to cognitive dysfunction, contributing to mental fatigue, slow thinking, and difficulty in processing information.

Diabetes brain symptoms[9]

Among the diabetes brain symptoms to watch for:[10]

·         Frequent forgetfulness or confusion

·         Difficulty concentrating and making decisions

·         Mood swings or depression

·         Sudden problems with vision

·         Difficulties with speech

·         Dizziness or balance issues

·         Struggle to learn new things

Prevent diabetes brain disorders

Take the following steps to prevent diabetes brain disorders:[11]

·         Follow a healthy meal plan prescribed by your health care team

·         Maintain a healthy weight

·         Keep your blood sugar within target levels

·         Exercise regularly

·         Take prescribed medicine as directed by your doctor

·         If you smoke, stop

·         Manage stress levels

Following these tips can help keep your diabetes under control and reduce the risk of serious diabetes brain disorders.