Cognitive impairment refers to a decline in one or more cognitive domains, manifested by slowed information processing speed and memory deficits. With the aging of the global population, the prevalence of cognitive impairment continues to rise. As effective curative treatments remain unavailable, early identification and intervention have become particularly critical. Cognitive impairment arises from the interaction of multiple factors, among which diabetes and insomnia are increasingly recognized as significant modifiable risk factors.
Diabetes is a disorder characterized primarily by insulin resistance and pancreatic b-cell dysfunction, leading to persistent elevation of blood glucose levels that can cause pathological changes in the nervous system. Currently, approximately 589 million adults worldwide have diabetes. Insomnia is a subjective experience characterized by frequent difficulty falling asleep and/or maintaining sleep, resulting in impaired daytime social functioning. Approximately 10%-30% of adults suffer from insomnia. Studies indicate that both conditions demonstrate high prevalence rates with extensive global impact, and show significant correlations with cognitive decline.
Traditional diagnosis of cognitive impairment relies on neuropsychological scales. The identification of serological and imaging biomarkers has provided reliable methods for early detection. Representative serological biomarkers include Ab-amyloid and Tau protein, while characteristic imaging biomarkers comprise sMRI (hippocampal atrophy), fMRI (default mode network disruption).
My study aims to utilize the UK Biobank database to investigate the effects of diabetes and insomnia on cognitive function. When both conditions coexist in an individual, we will examine whether their combined impact represents an additive effect or a synergistic amplification effect. Furthermore, we will investigate how serological biomarkers and imaging biomarkers affect cognition.
