Assessment of brain atrophy in elderly subjects with diabetes mellitus by computed tomography

Abstract

Background:Several studies have shown cognitive functional impairment in elderly subjects with diabetic mellitus (DM). However, there have been few studies on the image of the brain in DM subjects.Methods:To assess brain atrophy in elderly DM subjects their brain images were evaluated using computed tomography (CT). Thirty‐eight DM subjects and 17 non‐DM subjects (60–80 years of age) were included. The mean age for DM subjects and control subjects were 71.2 ± 5.5 years and 71.6 ± 5.7 years, respectively. For assessment of brain CT images, five indices (Evan’s ratio, inverse cella media index, width of the third ventricle, the width of the temporal horns on both sides, and the maximal width of the Sylvian fissure at insula on both sides) were used.Results:Evan’s ratio and the temporal horns on both sides in DM subjects were significantly larger than those in control subjects. Further analysis within DM subjects, who were divided into three groups according to their therapy (insulin, medication, and diet therapy), showed that insulin‐treated subjects had the widest temporal horns.Conclusions:The current study suggested that elderly DM subjects had brain atrophy compared with age‐matched non‐DM subjects. The insulin‐treated group had the highest amount of brain atrophy of the DM subjects.