Study Reveals Connection Between Type 2 Diabetes and Brain Structure in Older Adults

A significant study led by researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC) has identified a crucial correlation between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and alterations in brain structure, particularly cortical thickness, among older adults from diverse demographic backgrounds.

This research, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, emphasizes the importance of blood sugar management in safeguarding brain health as individuals age. T2DM is a chronic health condition that currently affects approximately one in ten Americans. If not properly managed, it can lead to severe complications affecting the circulatory, nervous, and immune systems.

The study found that older adults diagnosed with T2DM exhibited a notably thinner cortex, especially in the temporal and parietal lobes--regions essential for memory and cognitive abilities. Employing advanced neuroimaging technologies, the research team analyzed cortical thickness and hippocampal volume in participants from the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities (HABS-HD) cohort. This diverse group included Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic white individuals, providing valuable insights into how diabetes impacts brain health across different populations.

Findings indicated that poor glycemic control could significantly contribute to the observed cortical thinning. The research highlighted the potential for improved brain health through effective diabetes management, as blood sugar levels can be regulated via appropriate medical treatment and lifestyle choices.

The study's results reveal that the association between T2DM and cortical thinning persisted even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors and common coexisting health conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Notably, the strongest correlations were observed in Hispanic participants, while no significant impacts were found among non-Hispanic Black adults. Given the rising incidence of diabetes, particularly within minority communities, these findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing diabetes management and reducing its neurological effects.

Researchers pointed out that the disparities noted among different ethnic and racial groups highlight the necessity for further investigation into how various risk factors may interact uniquely across populations to influence brain health. This understanding is critical for developing personalized care strategies that effectively protect cognitive function in individuals.

The senior author of the study emphasized the importance of large-scale initiatives like HABS-HD, which is recognized as the most comprehensive investigation of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in diverse communities. The extensive data collected through HABS-HD, which includes interviews, functional assessments, blood samples, cognitive evaluations, and brain MRIs, facilitates significant research breakthroughs such as the link between type 2 diabetes and cortical thickness.

Moving forward, the research team plans to conduct longitudinal studies to ascertain whether the changes in brain structure observed in patients with diabetes lead to accelerated cognitive decline over time. Additionally, future studies may explore the effects of diabetes medications and lifestyle modifications in identifying effective strategies to preserve brain health among those affected by diabetes.