Association between cerebral lesions and the severity of diabetic cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, and nephropathy-new lessons to learn from neuroimaging

Diabetes is associated with cerebrovascular lesions detectable through neuroimaging. Neuroimaging is traditionally valued for its insights into the structure of the central nervous system. However, the brain is connected with other organs. The vascular system, hormones, and peripheral nerve system connect the brain to other sections of the body bidirectionaly. This interaction between the brain and other parts encourages us to look at the total body, not just its different parts separately. Growing evidence has shown the link between brain injuries and cardiac, retinal, and kidney disorders, suggesting that neuroimaging has the potential to provide valuable information about peripheral organs This is particularly crucial for a systemic disease like diabetes, which affects the entire body. In this review, we aim to first discuss the data that neuroimaging can reveal about the severity of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. This interdisciplinary approach could guide the design of new randomized controlled trials, screening programs, and an integrated clinical practice. This study explores the mechanisms underlying the association between the brain and other organs in the context of diabetes. Then we will consider their implications for future research and clinical practice.