The impact of recurrent hypoglycemia on cognitive function in aging.
The decline in cognitive function, especially on challenging tasks, associated with aging is well known and relatively well-characterised. Recent evidence has provided strong support for the view that reduced ability to provide and regulate fuel supply, i.e., glucose, to the aged brain is a major cause of such decline. Inability to regulate glucose also defines diabetes, and both diabetes and the recurrent hypoglycemia seen in intensively insulin-treated diabetic patients also affect cognition. Recent data on the interaction between such recurrent hypoglycemia and aging in modulating cognition is reviewed, and the insights gained into mechanisms of age-related cognitive decline discussed.
McNay
Ewan C
EC
Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, TAC S147, One Gilbert Street, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. ewan.mcnay@yale.edu
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000503:physiopathology*
D001786:Blood Glucose