Abstract

Background: The increase in diabetes among the elderly is of concern because in addition to the wide range of traditional diabetes complications; evidence has been growing that diabetes is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline. Aims and Objectives: Aims and objectives of the study were to find out if there is any association between cognitive function and diabetes.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 200 individuals aged between 40 and 65 years consisting of 100 diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetics and 100 age and gender matched nondiabetics from outpatient department of McGann Hospital, Shimoga. Short term and working memory were assessed using neuropsychologial tests. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.
Results: Scores of all the memory tests in type 2 diabetics were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) when compared to the memory scores of age and gender matched nondiabetics. Conclusion: The decreased memory status in type 2 diabetics may be due to many factors such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, vascular disease, insulin resistance, and amyloid deposition.