Higher Glycemia Linked to Worse Cognition

Exposure to an intensive lifestyle intervention or to metformin is not associated with changes in cognition, while higher glycemia was linked to worse cognitive performance, according to data from the Diabetes prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS).

In the study, the diabetes prevention program lasted for 2.8 years and was followed by a 13-month bridge to DPPOS. Cognition was assessed in years 8 and 10 of DPPOS using the Spanish English Verbal Learning Test, letter fluency and animal fluency tests, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and a composite cognitive score.
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Overall, 2280 participants were involved in the study and were randomized between a lifestyle intervention, metformin, and placebo. At cognitive assessment, type 2 diabetes was higher in the placebo group compared with lifestyle and metformin. No differences in cognition were observed among the arms of the study. While type 2 diabetes was not associated with cognition, higher glycated hemoglobin at year 8 was linked to worse cognition after confounder adjustment.

“Exposure to intensive lifestyle intervention or metformin was not related to cognition among DPPOS participants. Higher glycemia was related to worse cognitive performance. Metformin seemed cognitively safe among DPPOS participants,” the researchers wrote.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Luchsinger JA, Ma Y, Christophi CA, et al. Metformin, lifestyle intervention, and cognition in the diabetes prevention program outcomes study. Diabetes Care. 2017 Jul; 40(7): 958-965.