Impact of serum prolactin on cognitive function, brain structure, and function in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Main findingResult — go to the resultOdds ratio 0.907 95% CI 0.849–0.968Authors' conclusion
Decreased serum PRL is associated with reduced hippocampal and amygdaloid volumes, impaired amygdala functional connectivity, and diminished cognitive performance in T2DM.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with T2D; age- and gender-matched from 1167 participants with T2D247 had fMRI
- Participants
- 418 vs 522
- Exposure
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) vs normal cognition in T2D, by serum prolactin (PRL)
- MCIn = 418
- Normal cognitionn = 522reference
- Outcome
- Serum PRL and MCI risk in T2D
Methodological detailsage- and gender-matched, neuroimaging (fMRI) subset, structural equation modeling
- Age- and gender-matched
- Neuroimaging (fMRI) subset
- Structural equation modeling
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Odds ratio
0.907
95% CI 0.849–0.968
P = 0.003
MCIvs normal cognition in T2D, by serum PRL
OR 0.907 (95% CI 0.849–0.968); P = 0.003
- Share of MCI risk accounted for by PRL (relative weight analysis, 1167 participants)
- 8.14%
- Share of MCI risk accounted for by luteinizing hormone (LH)
- 7.53%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Structural equation modeling (SEM): PRL effect on cognition
- PRL positively influenced cognition; indirect effect via limbic structures, share of total effect
- 14.07%
Functional connectivity
- Lowest PRL tertile: significantly decreased right amygdala–right frontal lobe connectivity, partially mediating PRL–MoCA link
Original publication
Impact of serum prolactin on cognitive function, brain structure, and function in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 19 February 2026. doi:10.
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