The impact of recurrent hypoglycemia on cognitive function in aging.

The decline in cognitive function, especially on challenging tasks, associated with aging is well known and relatively well-characterised. Recent evidence has provided strong support for the view that reduced ability to provide and regulate fuel supply, i.e., glucose, to the aged brain is a major cause of such decline. Inability to regulate glucose also defines diabetes, and both diabetes and the recurrent hypoglycemia seen in intensively insulin-treated diabetic patients also affect cognition. Recent data on the interaction between such recurrent hypoglycemia and aging in modulating cognition is reviewed, and the insights gained into mechanisms of age-related cognitive decline discussed.