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Research progress on cerebellar magnetic resonance imaging in type 2 diabetes mellitus
LIU Jianrong  WEI Jing  ZHAO Lianping 

DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.02.021.


[Abstract] Cognitive dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has emerged as a significant public health concern, the underlying neural mechanisms of which are not yet fully elucidated. Recent studies have progressively revealed that the cerebellum, as a critical node for sensorimotor integration and cognitive-emotional regulation, plays an indispensable role in the central nervous system pathophysiology of T2DM. Existing research indicates that the cerebellum may be a susceptible region for central nervous system damage in T2DM, and abnormalities in its structural and functional parameters are more likely to serve as early imaging biomarkers for cognitive decline, offering new perspectives for understanding disease mechanisms and facilitating early intervention.This paper systematically reviews evidence from magnetic resonance imaging (structural, functional, and perfusion imaging) regarding cerebellar alterations in T2DM patients and their association with cognitive and emotional disorders. Building upon this, the paper further highlights the limitations of existing research and proposes future research directions. The goal is to provide a novel perspective for a holistic understanding of the neuropathophysiological mechanisms of the central nervous system in the context of T2DM, and to furnish imaging evidence to support the early detection and precise management of associated central nervous system complications.
[Keywords] type 2 diabetes mellitus；cerebellum；magnetic resonance imaging；structural magnetic resonance；functional magnetic resonance imaging；cognitive impairment；emotional disorder；cerebral perfusion

LIU Jianrong1   WEI Jing1   ZHAO Lianping2*  

1 First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China

2 Department of Radiology, Gansu Provincial People's Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China

Corresponding author: ZHAO L P, E-mail: lianping_zhao007@163.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-11-05
Accepted  2026-01-08
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.02.021
DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.02.021.

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