Obesity, type 2 diabetes and cognitive disorders

Czech version

Authors: Zuzana Košutzká ¹; Lucia Slobodová ²; Kamila Ivanová ^2,3; Barbara Ukropcová ^2,4
Authors‘ workplace: II. neurologická klinika LF UK a UNB, Nemocnica akademika Ladislava Dérera, Bratislava ¹; Centrum pre manažment obezity EASO, Oddelenie pre výskum metabolizmu, Ústav experimentálnej endokrinológie, BMC SAV v. v. i., Bratislava ²; Psychiatrické oddelenie FN Trnava ³; Ústav patologickej fyziológie LF UK v Bratislave ⁴
Published in: Forum Diab 2025; 14(1): 21-28
Category: Review Article

Overview

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are important risk factors for the development of cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases. Their common pathophysiological substrate includes insulin resistance, chronic subclinical systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, shifts in the intestinal microbiome composition, hormonal dysregulation, and structural changes of the brain. These factors lead to impaired memory, executive functions, and accelerated neurodegeneration. The positive effects of lifestyle modifications — including weight loss, increased physical activity, and improved dietary composition — are manifested by improved insulin sensitivity in the brain, increased neurotrophic factors, reduced systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation, and improved metabolism. A combination of behavioral and pharmacological interventions may slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia in patients with obesity, prediabetes and T2D.

Keywords:

obesity – Weight loss – exercise – type 2 diabetes – cognitive dysfunction – cognitive testing – disorders of glucose metabolism – neu-rodegenerative diseases – nonpharmacological interventions

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