Functional brain networks are altered in type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes signs for compensation of cognitive decrements? - The Maastricht Study: signs for compensation of cognitive decrements? - The Maastricht Study

Frank C G van Bussel, Walter H Backes, Tamar M van Veenendaal, Paul A M Hofman, Martin P J van Boxtel, Miranda T Schram, Simone J S Sep, Pieter C Dagnelie, Nicolaas Schaper, Coen D A Stehouwer, Joachim E Wildberger, Jaap Jansen*

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is associated with cognitive decrements, accelerated cognitive decline, and increased risk for dementia. Participants with the metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for diabetes, may display comparable cognitive decrements as seen in type 2 diabetes. Currently, the impact of (pre-)diabetes on cognition and the underlying organization of functional brain networks still remain to be elucidated. This study was designed to investigate whether functional brain networks are affected in type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. Forty-seven participants with diabetes, 47 pre-diabetic participants, and 45 control participants underwent detailed cognitive testing and 3-Tesla resting state functional MRI. Graph theoretical network analysis was performed to investigate alterations in functional cerebral networks. Participants with diabetes displayed altered network measures, characterized by a higher normalized cluster coefficient and higher local efficiency compared with controls. The network measures of the pre-diabetic participants fell between those of the diabetes and control participants. Lower processing speed was associated with shorter path length and higher global efficiency. To conclude, participants with type 2 diabetes have altered functional brain networks. This alteration is already apparent in the pre-diabetic stage to a somewhat lower level, hinting at functional reorganization of the cerebral networks as compensatory mechanism for cognitive decrements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2404-2413
Number of pages10
JournalDiabetes
Volume65
Issue number8
Early online date23 May 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2016

Keywords

  • PARTICIPANTS AGED 24-81
  • NORMATIVE DATA
  • METABOLIC SYNDROME
  • CONNECTIVITY CHANGES
  • MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS
  • MENSTRUAL-CYCLE
  • WORKING-MEMORY
  • STATE
  • MRI
  • RISK

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