Morning Cortisol Levels and Cognitive Abilities in People With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background and Aims: Incresing evidences suggest that elevated glucocorticoid levels have widespread effects within the central nervous system (mainly hippocampus), a key locus for cognitive function and cortisol levels are increased in patients of diabetes. Keeping these two points in mind, relation between morning cortisol level and cognitive abilities in people of Type 2 diabetes were accessed. Materials andmethods: 100 Participants, aged 60‐75 years were recruited randomly of type 2 diabetes, living in North‐west Rajasthan. A fasting venous blood sample was taken, for measurement of plasma cortisol. Cortisol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay with intra‐assay coefficient of variation (CV) 5.1‐7.0% and interassay CV 6.0‐7.9%. Cognitive ability was assessed by a battery of psychometric tests including MiniMental State Examination (MMSE), Executive function‐Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and Mental flexibilityTrail Making Test (TMT). Results: This study showed significant relationship between cortisol levels and cognitive dysfunctions. Odds ratio of morning cortisol levels with minimental state examination (MMSE), mental flexibility‐trail making test (TMT) and executive function‐verbal fluency test (VFT) were 4.407, 2.647 and 0.195 respectively. Increased age, poor glycemic control, increased waist hip ratio, deranged lipid profile also had negative impact on cognitive functions. Conclusion: There is highly significant causal correlation between cortisol level and cognitive dysfunctions in diabetic patients. Increased age and other complications of diabetes also have impact on cognitive function spectrum.