Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Hypoglycemia-Induced Cognitive Impairment and Recovery in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether hypoglycemia in association with sleep deprivation causes greater cognitive dysfunction than hypoglycemia alone and protracts cognitive recovery after normoglycemia is restored. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Fourteen adults with type 1 diabetes underwent a hyperinsulinemic, hypoglycemic clamp on two separate occasions. Before one glucose clamp, the participants stayed awake overnight to induce sleep deprivation. Participants were randomized and counterbalanced to the experimental condition. Cognitive function tests were performed before and during hypoglycemia and for 90 min after restoration of normoglycemia. RESULTS: Cognitive impairment during hypoglycemia did not differ significantly between the sleep-deprived and non-sleep-deprived conditions. However, in the sleep-deprived state, digit symbol substitution scores and choice reaction times were significantly poorer during recovery (P < 0.001) and hypoglycemia symptom scores were significantly higher (P < 0.001), even when symptoms that may have been caused by sleep deprivation, such as tiredness, were removed. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycemia per se produced a significant decrement in cognitive function; coexisting sleep deprivation did not have an additive effect. However, after restoration of normoglycemia, preceding sleep deprivation was associated with persistence of hypoglycemic symptoms and greater and more prolonged cognitive dysfunction during the recovery period.

The Effects of Acute Hypoglycaemia on Cognitive Function in Type 1 Diabetes : Review

Throughout life with type 1 diabetes mellitus people with the condition are exposed to multiple episodes of hypoglycaemia associated with insulin therapy. Hypoglycaemia affects several domains of cognitive function. Studies in non-diabetic adults and in people with type 1 diabetes have shown that almost all domains of cognitive function are impaired to some degree during acute hypoglycaemia; with complex tasks being more greatly affected. The specific cognitive functions of attention and memory are both profoundly impaired during hypoglycaemia. These cognitive processes are fundamental to the performance of many day to day tasks. Their impairment disrupts everyday life and raises safety concerns for the pursuit of activities such as driving. Mood and emotion are also negatively affected by hypoglycaemia; resulting in tense tiredness; while motivation is reduced; and anger may be generated in some individuals. Hypoglycaemia can cause embarrassing social situations; and may lead to chronic anxiety and depression in people with type 1 diabetes. At present few therapeutic measures can modify or ameliorate the effects of hypoglycaemia on cognitive function; so instigation of measures to prevent exposure to hypoglycaemia is of major clinical importance; while preserving good glycaemic control

Association between excessive daytime sleepiness and severe hypoglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes: the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep-disordered breathing and sleepiness cause metabolic, cognitive, and behavioral disturbance. Sleep-disordered breathing is common in type 2 diabetes, a condition that requires adherence to complex dietary, behavioral, and drug treatment regimens. Hypoglycemia is an important side effect of treatment, causing physical and psychological harm and limiting ability to achieve optimal glycemic control. We hypothesized that sleep disorder might increase the risk of hypoglycemia through effects on self-management and glucose regulation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: People with type 2 diabetes (n = 898) completed questionnaires to assess sleep-disordered breathing, daytime sleepiness, and occurrence of severe hypoglycemia. RESULTS: Subjects who scored highly on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were significantly more likely to have suffered from severe hypoglycemia. This was a significant predictor of severe hypoglycemia in regression analysis including the variables age, sex, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, BMI, and treatment type. CONCLUSIONS: Daytime sleepiness may be a novel risk factor for hypoglycemia.

Drug-induced hypoglycaemia in type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoglycaemia is a side effect caused by some therapies for type 2 diabetes, which can cause physical, social and psychological harm. Hypoglycaemia also prevents attainment of treatment goals and satisfactory glycaemic control. AREAS COVERED: The risk of hypoglycaemia associated with commonly prescribed therapies, including metformin, sulphonylureas, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme (DPP-4) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists and thiazolidinediones, is reviewed in this paper (insulin-induced hypoglycaemia is not included). Other medications that are frequently co-prescribed in type 2 diabetes are also discussed, including anti-hypertensive drugs, antibiotics and fibrates, along with various important patient-related risk factors. EXPERT OPINION: Hypoglycaemia is a common and potentially dangerous side effect of some medications used for type 2 diabetes. The risk of hypoglycaemia should always be considered when selecting and implementing a therapy, with a focus on the individual. Future research into new therapies should measure the frequency of hypoglycaemia prospectively and accurately. Hypoglycaemia has been shown to be a potentially life-threatening metabolic stress; therefore therapies that effectively manage diabetes without the risk of hypoglycaemia are likely to be favoured in the future.