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• Review •
Advances in MRI research on cognitive impairment in type 1 diabetes
FANG Hao  YIN Jiajing  TIAN Shui  ZHANG Mei  LU Shanshan  ZHANG Ling 

DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.014.


[Abstract] Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with alterations in brain structure and function, which have been linked to cognitive decline. In recent years, MRI has provided important evidence for elucidating the neural basis of T1DM-related cognitive dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that patients with T1DM may exhibit changes in gray matter volume or cortical thickness, white matter microstructural damage, abnormal cerebral perfusion, and altered resting-state neural activity and functional connectivity. These abnormalities may become more pronounced with longer T1DM duration. This review summarizes the potential mechanisms underlying T1DM-related cognitive impairment and its neuroimaging markers, with a focus on structural imaging, diffusion imaging, cerebral perfusion imaging, and functional MRI. It also discusses current research limitations and future directions. By integrating evidence across these imaging modalities, this review aims to provide a systematic neuroimaging evidence framework for studies of the neural mechanisms of T1DM-related cognitive dysfunction and to offer insights into early identification and potential intervention targets for high-risk patients. This review also discusses current research limitations and future directions.
[Keywords] type 1 diabetes；cognitive dysfunction；magnetic resonance imaging；structure；function

FANG Hao1   YIN Jiajing2   TIAN Shui1   ZHANG Mei2   LU Shanshan1   ZHANG Ling1*  

1 Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210036, China

2 Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210036, China

Corresponding author: ZHANG L, E-mail: zl_phx@126.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2026-04-08
Accepted  2026-07-09
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.014
DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.014.

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