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Poorly controlled diabetes could lead to dementia in the elderly

Poorly controlled diabetes seems to cause cognitive problems in the elderly, a new study reports. The researchers determined that the main reason why diabetic people age 60 and older scored low on a cognitive function test was because of improper management of their disease. ?We knew that there was an association between diabetes and dementia in older people,? said Yousef Mohammad, a study co-author and an assistant professor of neurology at Ohio State University. ?But we found out that there is a difference in cognitive capability between diabetics whose disease is under control and those whose disease isn?t adequately controlled.?

Schmoozing good for the brain

Michigan researchers say they’ve found that shooting the bull with friends has measurable benefits for the brain, keeping it sharp in later life. “Most advice for preserving and enhancing mental function emphasizes intellectual activities such as reading, doing crossword puzzles, and learning how to use a computer,” says the lead researcher. “But my research suggests that just getting together and chatting with friends and family may also be effective.”