Changed gray matter volume and functional connectivity in cerebellar subregions in T2DM patients with insulin resistance

Motivation: The neuropathophysiological mechanisms of cerebellar damage in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with insulin resistance (T2DM-IR) are not yet fully understood. Goal(s): To investigate how insulin resistance affects the cerebellar structure and function. Approach: We employed voxel-based morphometry analysis based on SUIT template and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) to assess the gray matter volume (GMV) and functional connectivity in cerebellar subregions of T2DM patients with insulin resistance and examine their correlation with clinical variables. Results: We exhibited more pronounced reductions in GMV and FC of specific cerebellar subregions in T2DM-IR and negative correlation between GMV of lobules VIIb-VIII and insulin resistance. Impact: These findings contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiological role of cerebellum damage in T2DM-IR. It provides a new research idea and method for us to elucidate brain impairment of T2DM.