SUBCLINICAL COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: IMPACT OF INSULIN RESISTANCE ON BRAIN AGING

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) represents one of the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality and has been associated with progressive cognitive decline even in the early stages of the disease. Recent evidence demonstrates that insulin resistance and chronic neuroinflammation play central roles in neuronal dysfunction, compromising cerebral energy metabolism and accelerating neural aging. This work aims to review and correlate the main pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the relationship between T2DM and mild cognitive impairment, highlighting laboratory and imaging markers as potential early diagnostic tools. Recent publications (2015-2025) in the PubMed, SciELO, and Embase databases were analyzed. A consistent correlation was observed between chronic hyperglycemia, β-amyloid deposition, and alterations in the hippocampus, suggesting that T2DM acts as an independent risk factor for neurodegenerative dementias. It is concluded that cognitive screening should be integrated into the routine monitoring of diabetic patients, being essential for the prevention and early management of associated brain impairment.