Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which a person has trouble with memory, language, or another mental function that is severe enough to be noticeable to others and to show up on tests, but not serious enough to interfere with daily life. A study published in the issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry finds that the presence of diabetes in people with mild cognitive impairment is associated with an increased risk for progression to dementia.
Previous research has shown a link between diabetes and both mild cognitive impairment and dementia, but it has not been clear whether diabetes actually increases the risk of progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Investigators from the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health studies 103 people with confirmed mild cognitive impairment by Peterson’s criteria. During a 4-year follow-up period, 19 of these people progressed to dementia. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, previous IQ, and other health conditions, the investigators found that only diabetes was significantly associated with progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia.
Type 2 diabetes has been linked to accelerated cognitive decline in the elderly, as well as development of mild cognitive impairment and an increased risk for dementia. Now, it seems that diabetes increases the risk for conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. It is not clear whether improved blood glucose control affects this risk, but being able to predict the progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia is clinically important as it can help to identify those most at risk and offers an opportunity for intervention.
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