Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that insulin resistance is associated with an accelerated decline in cognitive functions 20 years later. The researchers: adherence to a healthy lifestyle and preventive drug treatment in the risk group, may delay the cognitive decline in old age.
Insulin resistance (or insulin resistance) is caused, in addition to genetic predisposition, by obesity, poor diet and lack of physical activity. Insulin is a hormone produced in our body by the pancreas and its role is to regulate blood sugar levels. In insulin resistance, the body's cells develop resistance to the hormone insulin, so that an increasing amount of it is required to maintain normal function. This phenomenon may lead to the development of pre-diabetes, and subsequently to overt diabetes and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Exercise and weight loss may improve insulin responsiveness.
Now, researchers from Tel Aviv University have discovered that insulin resistance also contributes to accelerated cognitive decline 20 years later. The groundbreaking research is part of Miri Lotsky's doctoral thesis, under the guidance of Prof. Uri Goldbort and Prof. David Tana from the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. The results of the study are published today in the journal Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
"We found that people with insulin resistance, with or without diabetes, are at increased risk of accelerated cognitive decline two decades later," says Prof. Tana from the research team. "The cognitive damage is mainly in the field of memory and in the field of administrative functions. These are very important findings, which open the door to the possibility of preventive behavioral and pharmacological treatment in order to preserve cognitive function and prevent the development of dementia."
The researchers reached the breakthrough after following a group of about 500 patients with heart disease, and assessed their insulin resistance using an index called Homeostasis Model Assessment, or HOMA, which measures insulin and blood glucose levels while fasting. In a series of computerized tests, the researchers assessed the level of cognitive functions of the patients, and found that the subjects in the top quartile of the HOMA index were found to be at increased risk of accelerated cognitive decline - 20 years later.
"These results reinforce the need to go deeper and investigate the effect of physical activity, diet and drugs that reduce insulin resistance on dementia," explains Prof. Tana. "At the same time, we continue to investigate the various biological mechanisms, vascular and non-vascular, through which insulin resistance impairs cognition."
"If you want to prevent insulin resistance and protect your brain in old age," added Prof. Tana, "exercise, maintain a balanced and healthy diet and watch your body weight. And if you already suffer from pre-diabetes - that is, your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, without being considered diabetes yet - these tips are especially important to you."
