Cognitive impairment in older patients battling type 2 diabetes is a troubling but expected effect of the disease but researchers at the University of Alberta, Canada, have just published a report that suggests cognitive damage occurs soon after the development of the disease, regardless of patient age, and younger diabetes patients are at similar risk of mental decline as older patients are.

The good news, according to the report published in the latest issue of the journal, ‘Neuropsychology,’ is that this immediate cognitive deterioration is usually mild and stabilizes after development.  Roger Dixon, a co-author for the study, says the initial cognitive effect is so mild it would likely go unnoticed as the patient functions on a daily basis.

In a report published in the ‘Times of London,’ Dixon says patients performing technical psychomotor tasks may notice some loss of accuracy and speed when playing video games, for example, but diligent management of the chronic disease throughout the patient’s life may keep further cognitive impairment in check.

Dixon urges all patients newly diagnosed with diabetes to get their cognitive function screened to measure this “leading edge” of cognitive decline.  After that, cognitive screening done on a routine basis may help the patient and his or her healthcare providers make the best choices for medication, dietary control, and mental training programs.

As cognitive decline accelerates, patients develop difficulties with more mundane tasks, such as focusing their attention, enjoying conversation, planning, and organizing their activities.

In the United States, more than 23 million people are thought to have diabetes.  About 90% of them have the type 2 form of the disease.