Brainstem auditory evoked potential in cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can cause mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which threatens the health of patients. So the diagnosis of MCI is particularly important. It is reported that brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) is a sensitive tool to detect the brainstem function in patients with T2DM. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between BAEP and MCI in patients with T2DM. A total of 244 T2DM patients with normal hearing, including 117 normal cognition patients and 127 MCI patients, were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Each subject underwent the BAEP examination. The diagnosis of MCI was based on the diagnostic guideline developed by the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess the cognitive function of the subjects. Compared with the normal cognition group, the patients in the MCI group had longer latencies of waves III and V and interpeak latencies (IPL) I-V in both ears ( P < 0.05). The significant negative correlations were found between the latencies of waves III, V, IPL I-V, and MoCA score in both ears (P < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that the prolongations of latunits of waves III and V and IPL I-V in both ears were still associated with MCI after adjustment for mixed factors (P < 0.05). These results indicate abnormal auditory pathway in brainstem of T2DM patients with MCI. BAEP may contribute to the clinical diagnosis of MCI in patients with T2DM. • Brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) is a sensitive tool to detect the brainstem function. • Auditory pathway in brainstem is abnormal in T2DM patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). • BAEP may contribute to the clinical diagnosis of MCI in patients with T2DM.