Diabetes Affects Cognitive Ability: MD Podiatrist According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Diabetes, in which the amount of glucose in the bloodstream is too high, acts as a poison and so alters multiple processes necessary for our continued existence. This, apparently makes people with diabetes unable to follow instructions and provide self-care as directed. Is it simply the stress of dealing with this challenging disease that makes people non-compliant? Apparently, just as diabetes causes nerve damage to the eyes and feet, it also affects the brain. But science has only recently begun to examine the effects of diabetes on thinking abilities, scientifically referred to as cognitive function.”

 
“Some scientists believe that by damaging nerves and blood vessels, brain function is reduced. This can lead to problems with memory and learning, mood shifts, weight gain, hormonal changes. Over time, even more serious problems may develop (e.g. Alzheimer’s). High blood glucose levels seem able to alter the brain’s billions of connections, essential in linking the many different regions that share functional properties. It can even cause the brain to shrink, medically referred to as atrophy,” says Dr. Michaels.