Stress raises diabetics' memory loss risk

Washington, Feb 23 (ANI): Stress increases the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline among diabetics, a new study has found.

To reach the conclusion, researchers studied more than 900 men and women aged between 60 and 75 with type-2 diabetes.

Scientists evaluated mental abilities with a range of tests, including memory function and how quickly participants processed information.

They compared this with general intelligence levels, using vocabulary tests, to work out whether brain function in participants had diminished over time.

They found that brain function slowed in participants with higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

The study, published by Diabetes Care, took into account factors such as education, cardiovascular disease, smoking and mood.

It is part of the Edinburgh Type-2 Diabetes Study set up four years ago to better understand why people with diabetes may have memory problems.

Type-2 diabetes tends to be more common after the age of 40.It is linked to problems with memory, but the reason behind this is unclear. (ANI)