Study Links Olfactory Groove Meningioma Removal to Improved Blood Sugar Control in Diabetic Patients

Olfactory Groove Meningioma Surgery Linked to Improved Blood Sugar Control in Diabetic Patients

A study published in JAMA Network Open has identified an association between the surgical removal of olfactory groove meningioma—a brain tumor located near the base of the skull—and improved blood sugar control in patients with diabetes.

Researchers found that blood sugar control improved soon after surgery in most patients, with these improvements persisting for years.

The team tracked patients diagnosed with both olfactory groove meningioma and diabetes for five years following surgery. The primary measurements were hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels—a key marker of blood sugar control—and body weight.

• Blood sugar control improved soon after surgery in a majority of patients, and these benefits lasted for years.
• Many patients also experienced weight loss following the procedure.
• Notably, researchers observed these improvements even when diabetes medications remained unchanged.

Olfactory groove meningioma is a tumor that affects both frontal lobes of the brain simultaneously. Common symptoms associated with this tumor type include vision problems, personality changes, or a loss of smell.

The findings suggest that certain brain tumors may have a direct impact on the body’s ability to regulate metabolism and blood sugar.

The study indicates that removal of these specific tumors may contribute to improved blood sugar control and weight management in some diabetic patients, in addition to the expected relief of neurological symptoms.

Andrew Venteicher, MD, PhD, associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and neurosurgeon with M Health Fairview, commented on the results.

"The degree of blood sugar control improvement observed after surgery in many patients was unexpected," Venteicher stated.

He noted that these findings may assist in counseling patients before surgery and raise broader questions about the fundamental relationship between brain function and metabolism.

Researchers have planned future studies to investigate the mechanisms behind these metabolic changes. Further research will also aim to determine whether similar effects occur in patients with other types of brain tumors, exploring deeper connections between brain function, behavior, and metabolism.

Funding for the study was provided by the Sontag Foundation, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research.