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Failure to control blood sugar levels could have a long-term impact on brain function in people with type-2 diabetes, according to new research.

Severe hypoglycaemic episodes – when blood sugar drops dangerously low – could lead to poorer memory and diminished brain power, scientists at the University of Edinburgh have discovered.

The study of 1,066 diabetes sufferers found that the 113 who had previously experienced severe hypoglycaemic episodes performed poorly in tests of general cognitive functions and vocabulary.

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said this study reinforces previous evidence that poorly controlled diabetes affects brain function.

"We already know that type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is a type of dementia, and this research adds another piece to a very complex jigsaw puzzle," he added.

People with diabetes are also twice as likely to suffer from depression as the general population, which is also likely to result in poorer blood-glucose management.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 at 7:00 pm and is filed under Diabetes.