Higher Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels in the Normal Range Are Associated with Hippocampal Atrophy in Cognitively Healthy Community-Based Older Adults in Their 60s

Nicolas Cherbuin¹, Perminder S. Sachdev², Kaarin J. Anstey¹

Clear associations have been demonstrated between type two diabetes (T2D), the metabolic syndrome, obesity and brain atrophy and cognitive decline. However, little is known about the effect higher blood glucose levels within the normal range have on brain health in cognitively healthy individuals without T2D. Relationships between fasting glucose levels and atrophy of a cerebral structure particularly sensitive to pathophysiological stressors, the hippocampus, were tested using data from a large longitudinal study of mental health and ageing. This study reports negative associations between hippocampal atrophy over 4 years and fasting plasma glucose levels in 266 older community-based individuals.