A discussion on the application of fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography in the research of cognitive...

This review explores the application value of fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography (fMOST) in diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction research, emphasizing its unique capacity to resolve microstructural alterations in neural circuits and vascular networks, thereby offering novel insights into the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetic cognitive impairment.

Existing literature was analyzed to evaluate fMOST's principles and capabilities, including its achievement of whole-brain three-dimensional imaging at sub-micron resolution, simultaneous acquisition of neuronal morphology (soma, dendritic spines, axonal terminals) and vascular networks, and integration with fluorescent labeling to trace prefrontal cortical pyramidal neuron projections under pathological conditions.

fMOST technology revealed the critical role of neurovascular coupling dysfunction in diabetic cognitive impairment, demonstrating that interactive damage between neurons and vasculature collectively drives disease progression. In type 2 diabetic models, it identified abnormal synaptic structures in prefrontal/hippocampal pyramidal neurons, vascular network remodeling, and disrupted brain connectivity. Compared to conventional imaging (magnetic resonance imaging/positron emission tomography), fMOST enables concurrent quantitative analysis of synaptic-level neural circuits and microangiopathy, overcoming the resolution limitations of macroscopic imaging.

fMOST serves as an indispensable high-precision, multi-scale imaging tool for investigating diabetic cognitive impairment. Future priorities include elucidating dynamic neurovascular unit interactions in diabetic encephalopathy, developing neural circuit-targeted interventions, and advancing interdisciplinary integration to accelerate clinical translation.