Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume 87, Issue 2 , Pages 224-227, February 2010

Neuropsychological status of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus

  • Hiroyuki Shimada

      Affiliations

    • Department of Geriatrics and Neurology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +81 6 6645 3889; fax: +81 6 6646 5599.
    • ,
  • Takami Miki

      Affiliations

    • Department of Geriatrics and Neurology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
    • ,
  • Akiko Tamura

      Affiliations

    • Department of Geriatrics and Neurology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
    • ,
  • Suzuka Ataka

      Affiliations

    • Department of Geriatrics and Neurology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
    • ,
  • Masanori Emoto

      Affiliations

    • Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan
    • ,
  • Yoshiki Nishizawa

      Affiliations

    • Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan

Received 28 April 2009; received in revised form 21 September 2009; accepted 28 September 2009. published online 30 October 2009.

Abstract 

Aim

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) but the relationship between DM and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), characterized by isolated memory loss, is unclear. We studied the prevalence of MCI in DM patients.

Methods

Neuropsychological status was evaluated using the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Subjects consisted of 103 consecutive diabetic patients hospitalized for diabetic education. Patients with severe diabetic complications or cerebrovascular accidents were excluded.

Results

Neuropsychological evaluation of DM patients showed that 71% were normal (MMSE score ≥24 and RBMT score ≥15), 5% had amnestic MCI (aMCI) (MMSE score ≥24 and RBMT score <15) and the remaining 23% had dementia (MMSE score <24). The percentage of patients with dementia was significantly higher in the DM group than in the control group (p<0.04). RBMT score and HbA1c were mildly correlated in diabetic patients.

Conclusion

High blood sugar may cause deterioration in not only memory function but also other cognitive domains in elderly patients with DM. Monitoring the neuropsychological status of this patient population is important.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Mild cognitive impairment, Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test, Mini Mental State Examination

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0168-8227(09)00418-5

doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2009.09.026

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume 87, Issue 2 , Pages 224-227, February 2010

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution