Physical disorders spark mental decline

Diabetes can have serious health consequences

People with diabetes and high blood pressure start to decline mentally in middle age, researchers have found.

They say the finding illustrates the need to start treating the two conditions as early as possible.

These things don't cause Alzheimer's disease, but they might make it more likely that a person would get it later in life

Dr David Knopman, Mayo Clinic

And they postulate that failure to provide treatment may eventually increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The research was led by Dr David Knopman, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

He said: "Treatment of diabetes and hypertension is important even in middle age, not just in the elderly, for preventing cognitive decline in later life."

The researchers tested more than 10,000 people from across the United States who, at first visit, were aged between 47 and 70 years. Each was followed by visits six years later.

The volunteers were given tests designed to measure their ability to perform against the clock, to solve puzzles and the agility of their minds.

The researchers found no evidence that diabetes and hypertension affected memory.

But they did find people with both conditions were mentally slower and less able to think on their feet.

Alzheimer's link

Dr Knopman said that over the six years the loss was small and the patients themselves would probably not even notice it.

However, he warned that eventually the decline could produce significant results.

He said: "We feel that the cognitive loss (seen in) diabetes and hypertension might make a person more susceptible to developing Alzheimer's disease in the future.

"These things don't cause Alzheimer's disease, but they might make it more likely that a person would get it later in life."

Cases increasing rapidly

Dr Knopman said it was not clear how the two conditions might cause a loss of brain function.

Diabetes is estimated to affect one in 20 people worldwide, with the number of cases increasing rapidly.

This has been blamed on the widespread adoption of a Western diet, and an increasingly sedentry lifestyle.

The charity Diabetes UK estimates that one million people in the UK are unaware that they have diabetes.

And three-quarters of those in high risk groups do not know that their health is in potential peril.

Untreated diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, amputations and blindness.