Cognitive Function in an Elderly Population With Persistent Impaired Glucose Tolerance
- Matti Vanhanen, MA,
- Keijo Koivisto, MD, PHD,
- Johanna Kuusisto, MD, PHD,
- Leena Mykkänen, MD, PHD,
- Eeva-Liisa Helkala, PHD,
- Tuomo Hänninen, PHD,
- Paavo Riekkinen Sr, MD, PHD,
- Hilkka Soininen, MD, PHD and
- Markku Laakso, MD, PHD
- Departments of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital Kuopio, Finland
- Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital Kuopio, Finland
- Community Health and General Practice, Kuopio University Hospital Kuopio, Finland
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Kuopio Kuopio, Finland
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Matti Vanhanen, Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, POB 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland. E-mail: matti.vanhanen{at}uku.fi
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study cognitive function in an elderly population with persistent impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Fasting and postload 2-h plasma glucose and insulin levels were determined at baseline in a population-based sample of 1,300 people and repeated an average of 3.5 years later in 980 subjects. At follow-up, cognitive function was evaluated in subjects with persistent normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 506) and IGT (n = 80) with a brief neuropsychological test battery.
RESULTS Subjects with persistent IGT scored lower in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and in the Buschke Selective Reminding Test long-term memory scores. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, education, and insulin levels (either fasting or 2-h value) were associated with the MMSE score in subjects with persistent IGT. Other potential risk factors for impaired cognitive function were not significantly associated with the MMSE score.
CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that persistent IGT in the elderly is associated with mildly impaired cognitive function, and hyperinsulinemia may account for this association.
- Received July 9, 1997.
- Accepted November 21, 1997.
- Copyright © 1998 by the American Diabetes Association
