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Abstract
Glucose has been found to improve memory in animals and humans. Animal research has
revealed that glucose may improve memory through a facilitation of acetylcholine (ACh)
synthesis and release in the brain. This glucose-related memory improvement has prompted
research in elderly humans. These studies have shown that the memory-improving action
of glucose depends on each individuals' blood glucose regulation. Based on these data,
researchers have evaluated the effect of glucose on memory in patients with Alzheimer's
disease (AD). Results demonstrated that glucose could improve memory in a subset of
patients that had abnormalities in their blood glucose regulation. Interestingly,
these alterations in blood glucose regulation were believed to depend on the severity
of the disease process. Another line of investigation has focused on alterations in
brain glucose metabolism. Both animal models and studies with Type II diabetic elderly
patients have shown that altered glucose regulation impairs learning and memory processes.
It is possible that in AD patients, hyperglycemia exerts a deleterious effect by potentiating
the neuronal death produced by other pathological processes taking place such as amyloid
deposition. Based on these data, it appears important to find the prevalence of altered
glucoregulation at various stages of AD. Secondly, it may be of interest to determine
prospectively whether altered glucoregulation is linked to a faster progression of
the disease. Finally, if such a relationship is observed, the next logical step would
be to determine whether AD patients could benefit from treatments aimed at normalizing
blood glucose regulation and improving insulin sensitivity.