If not well controlled, diabetes has adverse effects on many body systems, including cardiovascular and neurological. Either cardiovascular or neurological problems can result in mild or severe memory problems. In addition, uncontrolled blood glucose can cause memory loss. There is also increasing evidence that diabetes is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar, or glucose, falls below 70 mg/dL. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, hypoglycemia is common in diabetics. It happens if the body releases too much insulin into the blood, or if it uses glucose too quickly or releases it into the blood too slowly. Hypoglycemia can occur if the diabetic doesn't eat enough food or increases exercise without also increasing the amount of food consumed. Some diabetes medications can increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Among other symptoms listed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, hypoglycemia causes confused thinking, hallucinations and memory loss. Severe hypoglycemia, also known as insulin shock, is a medical emergency. If not treated, it can cause seizures, permanent damage to the neurological system and even death.
Vascular Dementia
When blood vessels in the brain are damaged or blocked, the result can be vascular dementia. Among the symptoms are confused thinking, memory problems and memory loss. If a blood vessel is completely blocked, a stroke occurs. Memory problems result if the stroke occurs in an area responsible for memory. Even partially blocked vessels can deprive the brain of some oxygen and lead to dementia. According to MayoClinic.com, diabetes is a risk factor for vascular dementia. Blood vessels become damaged over time due to high glucose levels, and the risk of stroke and other vascular problems is increased.
Alzheimer's Disease
The American Diabetes Association reports that research shows a higher rate of Alzheimer's disease among diabetics, especially people with type 2 diabetes. One theory is that diabetes damages neurons in the brain. High glucose levels can damage neurons directly. Another theory suggests higher than normal insulin levels may be indirectly to blame. When there is too much glucose in the blood, the pancreas often makes more insulin in an effort to keep the glucose level under control. To control insulin levels, the body makes insulin-degrading enzyme, known as IDE. Another function of IDE is to break down a protein called beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid accumulates abnormally in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. The theory is that when the pancreas produces too much insulin, IDE is too busy breaking down insulin to break down beta-amyloid and Alzheimer's is the result. No definitive answer has yet been found for the link between diabetes and Alzheimer's, but research is ongoing.
