Author and graduation date: Deena S. FRIEDLANDER, August, 1998

Committee members: Larry S. Verity (Chair), Dennis Selder, Robert M. Yaremko

Thesis title: Physical Activity and Cognition in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus currently affects approximately 15.7 million Americans, with approximately 798,000 new cases each year. Recent studies have suggested that type 2 diabetes has a detrimental effect on cognitive function. Other studies have also suggested that cognitive function increases with increased levels of physical activity. However, to date, very few studies have examined the relationship between physical activity levels and cognitive function in type 2 diabetics. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between verbal memory scores in type 2 diabetics and selected type 2 diabetes related parameters. In addition, this study examines whether there are significant differences in verbal memory scores between high active and low active type 2 diabetics. Thirteen type 2 diabetic subjects completed a health history questionnaire and two physical activity questionnaires, each subject was placed in either the high or low active group. Each subject was then administered the Buschke selective reminding test in order to assess verbal cognitive function. This study found that decreased verbal cognitive function in type 2 diabetics is significantly correlated (p <0.05) with increased age (r = -0.599) and elevated diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.497). This study also found a significant correlation between increased verbal cognitive function and increased duration of diabetes (r = 0.517). In addition, this study found that there were no significant differences in verbal cognitive function between high active and low active type 2 diabetes.

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