How Does Diabetes Affect Brain Function

**How Diabetes Affects Brain Function**

Diabetes doesn’t just impact blood sugar—it can also change how your brain works. Recent studies show that high glucose levels over time may alter brain activity in ways similar to early Alzheimer’s disease, affecting memory, decision-making, and even how you process rewards[1][2]. Here’s what happens:

**Rewiring the Brain’s Communication**
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region involved in motivation and emotional control, appears particularly vulnerable. In people with diabetes, high blood sugar disrupts signals between the ACC and the hippocampus (the memory center), making it harder to learn from past experiences or feel rewarded by positive outcomes[1][5]. Researchers compare this rewiring to patterns seen in neurodegenerative diseases[2].

**Blood Sugar’s Double Trouble**
Even without diabetes, consistently higher blood sugar levels are linked to weaker connections between brain regions that regulate automatic functions like heart rate[4]. For those with diabetes, prolonged hyperglycemia damages blood vessels, reducing oxygen flow to the brain and increasing risks of vascular dementia[5]. Excess glucose also triggers inflammation and oxidative stress, which harm neurons over time[5].

**Insulin Resistance in the Brain?**
Some scientists refer to Alzheimer’s as “type 3 diabetes” because insulin resistance—a hallmark of type 2 diabetes—may impair how brain cells use glucose for energy. This dysfunction could contribute to amyloid-beta plaque buildup, a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease[5].

While more research is needed, these findings highlight why managing blood sugar isn’t just about physical health—it could protect your mind too. Simple steps like regular exercise and a balanced diet might help safeguard both your body *and* your brain from long-term damage.