Hippocampal atrophy, asymmetry, and cognition in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with global and hippocampal atrophy and cognitive deficits, and some studies suggest that the right hippocampus may display greater vulnerability than the left.

Methods: Hippocampal volumes, the hippocampal asymmetry index, and cognitive functioning were assessed in 120 nondemented adults with long duration type 2 diabetes.

Results: The majority of the sample displayed left greater than right hippocampal asymmetry (which is the reverse of the expected direction seen with normal aging).