Diabetes, Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Type 2 Diabetes, especially in the context of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, creates a generalized inflammatory state in the body which may extend to the central nervous system. Inflammation in the brain is associated with a number of neurological diseases including Alzheimer disease. It is conceivable that diabetes contributes to the development of dementia by increasing brain inflammation. We are now able to measure brain inflammation with a noninvasive imaging technique. Inflammation in the retina, which is considered part of the central nervous system, is present in diabetic retinopathy, a well-known complication of diabetes. We are currently able to assess retinal inflammation with novel eye examination techniques. We propose the study of 20 nondemented Type 2 diabetic patients with brain imaging, ophthalmologic examinations, and neuropsychological evaluations to assess cognitive function. We will define the relationship between brain inflammation measures and retinal inflammation parameters and the severity of diabetes which we will grade by the severity of diabetic retinopathy. We will also explore the correlation between brain and eye inflammatory markers and measures of cognitive function in these patients.

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