Diabetes Mellitus is a complex metabolic disease that can have devastating effects on multiple organs in the body. Diabetes is the leading cause of end stage renal disease in the United States and is also a common cause of vision loss, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. (Miles WR., 1998)
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a common disease in the elderly and has been associated with cognitive impairment and dementia
(Strachan MW et al., 2001).
Executive function refers to those abilities related to self-directed behaviors. This complex cognitive system here understood as relating to metacognitive capacities that allow an individual to perceive stimuli from his or her environment, respond adaptively, flexibly change direction,
anticipate future goals, consider consequences, and respond in an integrated manner. All are utilized to achieve a specific goal (Baron IS et al., 2004)
Recently Gregg et al reported that Type 2 diabetes has been associated with decreases frontal lobe/executive function, verbal memory, complex motor functioning, working memory and attention (Gregg et aL .,2003).
Coskun O reported a significant relation between DM and cortical or subcortical atrophy, the results with regard to the relation of DM and white matter lesions (WML) or lacunar infarcts are conflicting(Coskun O et al.,2003) .
Diabetes mellitus may accelerate the brain aging process, as it accelerates cerebral atrophy, thus reducing cognitive reserve. (G.J. Biessel et al., 2006)
Many studies suggest that the risk of cognitive decline and neurodegeneration is increased not only in DM, but also in patients with pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome (J.A. Luchsingeret al., 2004).