Type 2 diabetes is related to neurochemical alterations in the default mode network: An exploratory cross-sectional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy study
Exploratory cross-sectional study investigates brain metabolite alterations in Type 2 diabetes, suggesting connections to cognitive impairment.
Key Points
This study aims to explore neurochemical changes related to brain energy metabolism in individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Exploratory cross-sectional design with adults with T2DM (N=20) and matched controls (N=20).
Participants underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) with the HERCULES sequence for metabolite quantification.
Fasted blood sampling and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were performed to evaluate blood glucose control and cognitive function.
T2DM participants showed reduced levels of total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA), total choline (tCho), total creatine (tCr), and glutathione (GSH) in specific brain regions compared to controls.
Glycated hemoglobin was inversely correlated with prefrontal tCho, tNAA, and tCr levels, indicating potential links between glucose control and metabolism.
Altered metabolite levels suggest deficits in brain energy metabolism associated with diabetic encephalopathy.