The Role of Hyperglycemia, Insulin Resistance, and Blood Pressure in Diabetes-Associated Differences in Cognitive Performance—The Maastricht Study

OBJECTIVE To study to what extent differences in cognitive performance between individuals with different glucose metabolism status are potentially attributable to hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and blood pressure–related variables. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used cross-sectional data from 2,531 participants from the Maastricht Study (mean age ± SD, 60 ± 8 years; 52% men; n = 666 with type 2 diabetes), all of whom completed a neuropsychological test battery. Hyperglycemia was assessed by a composite index of fasting glucose, postload glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and tissue advanced glycation end products; insulin resistance by the HOMA of insulin resistance index; and blood pressure–related variables included 24-h ambulatory pressures, their weighted SDs, and the use of antihypertensive medication. Linear regression analyses were used to estimate mediating effects. RESULTS After adjustment for age, sex, and education, individuals with type 2 diabetes, compared with those with normal glucose metabolism, performed worse in all cognitive domains (mean differences in composite z scores for memory −0.087, processing speed −0.196, executive function and attention −0.182; P values <0.032), whereas individuals with prediabetes did not. Diabetes-associated differences in processing speed and executive function and attention were largely explained by hyperglycemia (mediating effect 79.6% [bootstrapped 95% CI 36.6; 123.4] and 50.3% [0.6; 101.2], respectively) and, for processing speed, to a lesser extent by blood pressure–related variables (17.7% [5.6; 30.1]), but not by insulin resistance. None of the factors explained the differences in memory function. CONCLUSIONS Our cross-sectional data suggest that early glycemic and blood pressure control, perhaps even in the prediabetic stage, may be promising therapeutic targets for the prevention of diabetes-associated decrements in cognitive performance.