title: [Applications of neuropsychology in the medical field: diabetes mellitus as a model of research].
abstract: Diabetes mellitus patients may develop changes in the brain that can lead to an impairment in cognitive performance. This paper reviews the results of research conducted with numerous neuropsychological assessment instruments. Cognitive impairment is particularly relevant among diabetic patients in the following domains, memory, attention, information processing, motor performance and executive functions. Several biomedical and psychosocial factors have been identified that increase the risk of developing cognitive impairment among this population duration and time of onset of the illness; the presence of several complications, such as peripheral neuropathy and recurrent severe hypoglycaemia; and premorbid intellectual functioning. The methodological difficulties involved in carrying out research in this field are discussed, as well as new research hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación en Psiquiatría Clínica y Social, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Universidad de Cantabria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pereda Muñoz
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ayuso Mateos
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000150:complications; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
vernacular_title: Aplicaciones de la neuropsicología en el ámbito médico: el estudio de la diabetes mellitus como modelo de investigación.