Evaluation of Thalamus Volumes in Patients with Diabetic Polyneuropathy Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Method

The neurological process in diabetes is not limited to peripheral nerves but also affects the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, magnetic resonance images (MRI) showing that this condition can occur early in the neuropathic process are also available. This study was conducted to investigate whether peripheral sensory nerve dysfunction causes changes in thalamus volume in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPNP) who experience sensory loss. Our study is a retrospective study consisting of diabetes mellitus (DM), DPNP and a healthy control group, where brain MRI of 204 individuals aged between 20-90 with no neurological disorder that might affect thalamus. Morphometric measurements for thalamus and cerebrum volumetry were performed in conventional MRI. In order to measure the microstructural changes of thalamus, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was calculated by the diffusion-weighted imaging method. In conclusion of our measurements, it was found that individuals with DM and DPNP had a decrease in volume of both thalami(p<0.05) and cerebrum(p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in ADC values(p>0.05). According to the results of research, DM and DPNP affect not only the peripheral nervous system but also the CNS. This effect caused atrophy of thalamus and cerebrum in patients of all age groups.