Metabolic and Cognitive Function

Metabolic syndrome affects cognitive function, including memory, visual-spatial abilities,

execution, and general cognition function.²

Specific parts of the brain affected by elevated blood pressure,

or hypertension

A study found that blood pressure is the main factor affecting cognitive performance and

indicates vascular or neurodegenerative damage.³

Changes in specific parts of the brain that lead to hypertension affect cognitive function and

cause consequences such as memory, thinking impairment and dementia.⁴

How metabolic syndrome affects cognitive function

Inflammatory response

Metabolic diseases are more likely to cause inflammation and damage nerve cells
Affect neurotransmission and the brain

Oxidative stress

Metabolic abnormalities increase the production of free radicals, leading to oxidative stress
Damage neuronal structure and affect cognitive function

Insulin resistance

Affect the energy metabolism and function of neurons, leading to decreased learning and memory abilities

Cardiovascular health

Cardiovascular problems frequently occur with metabolic diseases
Affect cerebral blood flow and reduce brain oxygen supply, resulting in adverse effects on cognitive function
Research shows that individuals with higher cardiovascular risk factors may face cognitive deficits, including difficulties in information processing and memory. ⁵

Cognitive function

Patients with metabolic syndrome often experience memory loss, lack of concentration, and executive dysfunction.
In the analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), participants with metabolic syndrome perform worse than those without it on cognitive tests that assess memory and executive function.⁶
In the analysis of the neuropsychological examination and brain MRI, patients with metabolic syndrome exhibited poorer cognitive performance in task execution, memory, and processing speed.⁷

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Nu Channel: New Trend in Big Health

1. HKSAR Gov Department of Health. (2020-2022). Population Healthy Survey

2. Yates KF, Sweat V, Lai YP, et al. Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Cognition and Brain: A Selected Review of the Literature. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2012; 32(9): 2060–2067. https://doi.org/10.1161/ ATVBAHA.112.252759

3. Levin BE, Llabre MM, Dong C, et al. Modeling metabolic syndrome and its association with cognition: the Northern Manhattan study. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2014: 20(10): 951–60. https://doi.org/10.1017/ S1355617714000861

4. Mateusz Siedlinski, Carnevale, L., Xu, X., Carnevale, D., Evangelou, E., Caulfield, M. J., Maffia, P., Wardlaw, J. M., Samani, N. J., Tomaszewski, M., Lembo, G., Holmes, M. V., & Guzik, T. J. (2023). Genetic analyses identify brain structures related to cognitive impairment associated with elevated blood pressure. European Heart Journal, 44(23), 2114–2125. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad101‌

5. Yaffe K, Vittinghoff E, Pletcher MJ, et al. Early adult to midlife cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function. Circulation. 2014; 129(15): 1560–7. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.004798

6. *Cavalieri M, Ropele S, Petrovic K, et al. Metabolic Syndrome, Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Cognition. Diabetes Care. 2010; 33(12): 2489–2495. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc10-0851

7. #Exalto LG, van der Flier WM, van Boheemen CJ, et al. The metabolic syndrome in a memory clinic population: relation with clinical profile and prognosis. J Neurol Sci. 2015; 351(1–2): 18–23. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jns.2015.02.004

8. The LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed). (2024). High blood glucose weakens immunity against viral infections in type 2 diabetes patients