The Connection Between Impaired Fasting Glucose and Cognitive Decline

Published on July 26, 2022

Think of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) as the starting point on a rollercoaster that leads to cognitive decline. Just like how a bumpy rollercoaster ride can leave you feeling disoriented, studies have found a correlation between type 2 diabetes (DBT2) and neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers propose that factors like inflammation and oxidative distress may be responsible for accelerating cognitive decline in individuals with DBT2. When the body’s cells struggle to use insulin properly, it leads to IFG, which is characterized by increased blood glucose levels. Although the specific genetic and molecular causes of IFG are yet to be determined, lifestyle factors like metabolic syndrome, obesity, unbalanced diets, and sedentary behavior play a role in its development. High blood sugar levels caused by hyperglycemia can upset the balance of oxidants and antioxidants in the body, potentially compromising the blood-brain barrier and contributing to neurodegeneration. To learn more about how IFG impacts the brain’s redox state and cognitive function, dive into the fascinating research behind it!

Different studies performed in human patients, animal models, and in vitro cell cultures, show a correlation between type 2 diabetes (DBT2) and certain neurodegenerative pathologies. Also, it was proposed that increased inflammation and- or oxidative distress are a possible cause of DBT2-accelerated cognitive decline. The onset of DBT2 is characterized by an increase in blood glucose levels due to (an inability of the body’s cells to use insulin properly) called impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Genetic and/or molecular causes of IFG have not yet been established, but metabolic syndrome, obesity, unbalanced diets, and sedentary lifestyle would be responsible, at least in part, for the multiplication in the number of this disease. It has been proposed that hyperglycemia itself causes an imbalance in the redox state and could compromise blood-brain barrier (BBB) causing neurodegeneration. For this reason, we propose, in this review, to evaluate the available data about redox state and neurocognitive studies during the IFG period.

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