Controlling Blood Glucose Improves Memory
Reducing fasting plasma glucose levels can improve memory in patients with diabetes, say researchers from University of Pittsburgh, who conducted a double-blind trial of 145 older adults with type-2 diabetes at 18 centers in the U.S. The patients were receiving metformin tablet (e.g., Glucophage, Bristol-Myers Squibb) with add-on therapy consisting of medication rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia Generic, GlaxoSmith Kline) or glyburide (Diabeta, Aventis).
At week 24, fasting glucose levels declined by 21% to 24% in both groups. In the glyburide group, 61% of patients achieved the target (less than 7.77 mmol/L), as did 59% of those taking rosiglitazone. Patients’ working memory improved with both rosiglitazone and glyburide.
As expected, rosiglitazone, but not gly-buride, was associated with improvements in circulating insulin and insulin sensitivity, but changes in insulin parameters did not affect cognitive function.
