How does our metabolism influence the way we think? That's the central question in the research project 'How Glucose Shapes Thinking: A Study of Metabolism and Cognition in Real Life'. The project focuses on people with type 2 diabetes and examines how everyday changes in blood sugar relate to memory, attention, and concentration.
Technology as a Key
TU/e's expertise lies in designing interactive technologies that support people in their daily lives. Liang and colleagues are developing a method where participants complete short, playful cognitive tasks on their smartphones and smartwatches, with wearable continuous glucose monitoring implemented in collaboration with Figueiredo Pereira's team. This creates a living laboratory where technology and health work hand in hand.
New insights
The goal is to better understand how subtle glucose fluctuations impact our feeling and thinking. This knowledge can lead to new insights for self-management and prevention, helping people with diabetes improve their daily functioning.
Collaboration
The project is a collaboration between University Medical Center Utrecht, Wageningen University & Research, and TU/e. From TU/e, Rong-Hao Liang (Department of Industrial Design, Interactive Matters cluster and Department of Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing Systems group.) and Inês Figueiredo Pereira (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Microsystems group) are involved, alongside researchers from UMC Utrecht and Wageningen.
Why Does It Matter?
"Many people know how small changes in blood sugar affect how we feel, yet they don't realize how they can further affect how we concentrate or remember information," says Liang. "In a society where more and more people live with diabetes, it's important to understand how these processes work". Figueiredo Pereira adds: "This research helps us develop technology that supports people in their daily lives, so they can stay in control of their health and well-being."
The Challenge Today
The number of people with type 2 diabetes is rising worldwide, while cognitive issues such as reduced concentration often go unnoticed. By using technology for self-monitoring, this research addresses the need for practical solutions that fit seamlessly into everyday life.
