Editorials

Severe hypoglycaemia and cognitive impairment in diabetes

Two events within the past year have highlighted the question of the possible lasting cerebral effects of repeated severe hypoglycaemia in people with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Firstly, in August 1995, the British Diabetic Association specifically requested research proposals on the cognitive effects of diabetes after their working party on cognitive impairment identified repeated severe hypoglycaemia as one possible cause of (mostly) mild cognitive decrements in some people with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (unpublished data). Secondly, the diabetes control and complications trial has reported no untoward neuropsychological effects of severe hypoglycaemia in patients with insulin dependent diabetes.¹

The human brain accounts for about 20% of the body's metabolic consumption and is obliged to use glucose exclusively as its fuel. Therefore, when it is temporarily starved of glucose, brain functions suffer: thinking processes are impaired and a tense, tired mood state ensues. If profound neuroglycopenia continues untreated the . . . [Full text of this article]

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Relevant Article

Diabetes, cognitive impairment, and dementia

Mark W J Strachan, Jacqueline F Price, and Brian M Frier
BMJ 2008 336: 6. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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