Quantitative synthetic MRI and 3D T1 imaging reveal structural and functional changes in hippocampal subfields in Type 2 Diabetes

Motivation: T2DM accelerates hippocampal degeneration, raising cognitive decline risks. Clinically, identifying changes could early intervene to mitigate dementia risks in T2DM patients. Goal(s): This study aims to uncover how T2DM leads to cognitive decline by examining MRI-derived changes in hippocampal subfields. Approach: Of forty-two T2DM patients and fifty-one healthy controls, 3D T1 images and synthetic MRI was respectively used to assess volume and corresponding relaxation values across key hippocampal subfields (CA1, CA3, DG, subiculum). Results: In T2DM patients showed reduced volumes in specific hippocampal regions and increased T1/T2 values, correlating with higher HbA1C(%) levels and cognitive impairment, emphasizing chronic hyperglycemia's impact on brain health. Impact: This study demonstrates synthetic MRI's utility in monitoring hippocampal subfields changes and cognitive decline in T2DM, providing insights into metabolic and neurovascular disruptions relevant to Alzheimer's disease risk.