Additive Effects of Type 2 Diabetes and Major Depression on Brain Biochemical Abnormalities

Shaolin Yang¹, ², Olusola Ajilore¹, Minjie Wu¹, Melissa Lamar¹, Anand Kumar¹

Type 2 diabetes and major depression are mutual risk factors. In this study, we examined whether the two diseases have additive or interactive effects on brain biochemical abnormalities using ¹H MR spectroscopy. Patients with type 2 diabetes (with or without depression) had higher concentration of myo-inositol (Ins), the glial marker, in frontal white matter (FWM) & head of caudate nucleus (Caud) and higher choline-containing compounds (tCho) in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) & Caud while patients with major depression (with or without diabetes) had higher tCho levels in FWM. Patients with both diseases showed additive effects on Ins and tCho, suggesting additional glial process/abnormalities due to the comorbid conditions.