Related Experiment Videos
Default Mode Network Connectivity and Related White Matter Disruption in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Concurrent
Di Qi1, Ailin Wang1, Yaojing Chen1
1State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875. China.
Background:
As a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) itself causes cognitive impairment and has higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore the cognition especially the episodic memory difference, the DMN functional connectivity and DMN-related white matter integrity in patients with both T2DM and amnestic MCI (T2DM-MCI) as compared to patients with T2DM only.
Methods:
Focusing especially on T2DM population, we investigated the default mode network (DMN) through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging among 22 elderly T2DM-MCI patients and 24 elderly T2DM patients. Including primarily the bilateral cingulum, hippocampus and uncinate fasciculus, these DMN white matter fibers were also closely associated with episodic memory and the integrity of them was also investigated using diffusion tensor imaging in 19 elderly T2DM-MCI patients and 23 elderly T2DM patients.
Results:
Compared with the patients with T2DM, the T2DM-MCI patients performed worse in several areas of cognition besides episodic memory, and showed stronger DMN functional connectivity in the left precuneus and weaker functional connectivity in the left calcarine, as well as decreased integrity of the left cingulate bundle and bilateral uncinate fasciculus. Furthermore, a correlation analysis indicated that higher left calcarine connectivity was associated with better episodic memory performance among the overall group.
Conclusion:
Our results demonstrated that T2DM patients with comorbid amnestic MCI had abnormal functional connectivity patterns and decreased white matter integrity, which could potentially serve as AD or AD risk biomarkers for early detection of those elderly individuals with T2DM.
Insights
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) shows altered brain connectivity and white matter integrity. These changes may help detect Alzheimer's disease risk in T2DM patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is associated with cognitive impairment.
- Patients with T2DM have a higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive differences, default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity, and DMN-related white matter integrity in T2DM patients with and without amnestic MCI (T2DM-MCI).
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were used to assess DMN connectivity and white matter integrity.
- The study included elderly patients with T2DM-MCI and T2DM only.
Main Results:
- T2DM-MCI patients exhibited poorer cognitive performance, altered DMN functional connectivity (increased in left precuneus, decreased in left calcarine), and reduced white matter integrity (left cingulate bundle, bilateral uncinate fasciculus).
- Higher left calcarine connectivity correlated with better episodic memory.
Conclusions:
- T2DM patients with amnestic MCI display abnormal DMN functional connectivity and white matter integrity.
- These neuroimaging markers could aid in the early detection of AD risk in elderly T2DM individuals.