Women With Diabetes At Increased Risk Of Developing Cognitive Impairment

Mental decline usually associated with age, might affect women with diabetes or pre-diabetes more than men say researchers according to a recent study .

The study shows elderly women with pre-diabetes or diabetes have worse cognitive performance and are at an increased risk for developing cognitive impairment, including dementia. Risk of developing cognitive impairment among women with pre-diabetes or diabetes was increased nearly two-fold.

Researchers say more than 33 percent of women and 20 percent of men over age 65 will develop dementia during their lifetime. Many more will develop a milder form of cognitive impairment. Investigators suggest interventions aimed at early diagnosis and treatment of abnormal glucose metabolism and their effects on cognitive impairment to combat the problem.