Cognitive dysfunction in type II diabetes during hypoglycemia

Abstract

This study examined the effects of hypoglycemia upon cognitive function and symptom reporting using 6 adult NIDDM patients and 5 demographically matched non-diabetic study participants. Using an insulin infusion system, plasma glucose was artificially lowered from 90 mg/dl to mild hypoglycemia (60 mg/dl), and then returned to baseline. Cognitive function was assessed using a neurobehavioral battery of seven tests administered on three separate occasions. Cognitive function was examined via two clusters (i.e., Memory and Mental Flexibility), as well as measuring percent forgotten for two tests from the battery. Symptoms were assessed using a 12-item survey. The NIDDM group showed a significant decline (Memory: p {dollar}<{dollar}.006; Mental Flexibility: p {dollar}<{dollar}.078) in their cognitive abilities when glucose was lowered to mild hypoglycemia (mean = 67.67 mg/dl). This period was accompanied by a non-significant increase in symptom reporting. However, upon restoration of blood glucose from mild hypoglycemia, the NIDDM group exhibited residual cognitive dysfunction. There was no difference (p {dollar}<{dollar}.05) between the groups in terms of either cognitive cluster during all test periods. However, while the NIDDM group showed better recovery in terms of memory, the non-DM group had better recovery in their mental flexibility.