Abstract
This article provides a review of current concepts and evidence of pathogenetic and pathophysiological links between diabetes mellitus and cognitive deficit/dementia. Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of developing cognitive impairment.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been associated with reduced performance on numerous domains of cognitive function.Cognitive dysfunction comprises impairments of executive functions, memory, learning, attention, and psychomotor efficiency. Hyperglycemia, cerebrovascular impairment, hypoglycemia, and insulin resistance play significant roles in the development of cognitive dysfunction.
There are many common pathophysiological mechanisms that may lead to new pharmacological treatment of neurodegenerative dementias and diabetes.