Q: I am diabetic for the last 7 years. How does this affect the functioning of my brain? Will it cause a slowdown in effective problem solving skills, general alertness, ability to concentrate for a long time on solving a problem etc.?

A:No, diabetes will not really affect your brain functioning directly, unless you have had a stroke/ other evidence of reduced blood flow to the brain (vascular disease). Also I hope you not been having frequent low blood sugar attacks - those can also effect brain functioning. The kinds of symptoms you describe are usually unrelated to diabetes, at 40 years of age.