Scientist discover link between diabetes, depression

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists said Tuesday they have
discovered the mechanism that causes depression and memory loss in diabetes
patients.
The discovery published in the latest issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry
marks the first time scientists have found changes in metabolic materials in the
brain triggering negative mood changes, the Seoul National University team said.
The team led Lyoo In-kyoon, a medical school professor, said the discovery is
noteworthy because symptoms like depression and forgetfulness were attributed to
psychological causes in the past.
The latest findings, however, showed changes in glutamate were impairing normal
brain activity. Researchers used "proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy" on 123
Type 1 diabetes patients and 38 healthy volunteers to reach their conclusion.
Glutamate is the most prominent neurotransmitter in the body and is present in
over half of all nervous system tissues.
"In people with Type 1 diabetes, where the body cannot produce insulin, which is
critical in converting sugar, starches and other food into energy, there was a
pronounced increase in glutamate levels in the prefrontal cortex," Lyoo said.
He said insulin patients' level of metabolic materials was roughly 9 percent
higher than that of healthy people.
"This disturbance was more pronounced among people who had more problems with
sugar levels," the scientists said.
The professor said the discovery opens new chemical treatment methods that could
prevent diabetes patients from becoming depressed or inconvenienced by memory
loss that can impair regular social activity.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the U.S. National Institute
of Health supported the research.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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