Middle-Age Diabetes Tied to Memory Issues

Having diabetes or high blood pressure in middle age may increase the risk of memory and thinking problems later, new research suggests. The study included more than 1,400 people. Their average age was 80. They had either normal brain function or mild cognitive impairment. This is a milder form of thinking and memory problems that can lead to dementia. People received MRI scans and tests of their memory and thinking skills. Researchers also looked at medical records. They noted who had been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes or both during middle age (40 through 64). On average, people who developed diabetes in middle age were twice as likely to have mild cognitive impairment as those without the condition. Their brains were about 2.9% smaller. The hippocampus, a part of the brain important in memory, was 4% smaller.