A review of brain research on T2DM-related cognitive dysfunction.

Purpose: This article summarizes the brain research progress and main research techniques of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with cognitive dysfunction in recent years, aiming to provide new ideas for the mechanism research and treatment of cognitive dysfunction in diabetes.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search using the Google Academic database and the PubMed database and then preparing the manuscript.

Results: Cognitive impairment in patients with T2DM is linked to multiple structural alterations in the brain. These alterations encompass cerebral atrophy, vascular damage, increased white matter hyperintensities, microbleeds, a reduction in gray matter volume in the cerebellar cortex, modifications to the structure of the cerebellar dentate nucleus, and frontal cortex damage. Moreover, it may result in neuronal apoptosis and injury, a decline in the generation and maturation of neurons, disrupted or weakened neuronal autophagy, among other consequences. Investigators are employing sophisticated methods such as diffusion tensor imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral blood flow examinations, and voxel-based morphometry to investigate these affected brain areas.

Discussion: The pathogenesis of T2DM-related cognitive dysfunction is not fully understood. This article reviews recent advances in the study of T2DM-related cognitive dysfunction and highlights key research methodologies, offering new insights into the mechanisms and potential treatments for cognitive impairment in diabetes. This review provides a new direction for the study of the mechanism and treatment of cognitive dysfunction in diabetes.