ABSTRACT
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment due to chronic hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and vascular dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors may have neuroprotective effects by improving glycemic control, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing cerebral perfusion. However, evidence on their direct impact on cognitive function remains limited.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on cognitive function in patients with T2DM using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, AIMS, Muzaffarabad, AJK, from October 2024 to march 2025. A total of 30 patients with T2DM were enrolled using the WHO sample size calculator with a 95% confidence level, d = 1, and a mean MMSE score of 25.61 (SD = 2.53) after treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors. Participants received SGLT-2 inhibitors for 12 weeks and their cognitive function was assessed before and after treatment using the MMSE. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests to evaluate the significance of changes in MMSE scores.
Results: The mean MMSE score significantly improved from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors (p < 0.05). Patients exhibited better attention, recall, and orientation, indicating a positive impact on cognitive function. No serious adverse effects related to SGLT-2 inhibitors were reported during the study period.
Conclusion: SGLT-2 inhibitors demonstrated a beneficial effect on cognitive function in patients with T2DM, as evidenced by an improvement in MMSE scores. These findings suggest that SGLT-2 inhibitors may play a role in mitigating cognitive decline in diabetic patients. Further large-scale, randomized controlled trials are recommended to validate these results.
Keywords: SGLT-2 inhibitors, Type 2 diabetes, Cognitive function, MMSE, Neuroprotection, Glycemic control.