Aim:
With age and development of diabetes, impairment of cognitive functions is one of the most significant characteristics of cerebrovascular pathology. An important link in the study of biological aging is the study of telomere length, telomerase activity and genes. Cognitive deficits accompany the aging process and may be related to telomere length.

Material and methods:
Materials and methods: to investigate relationship between telomere length and cognitive function and identify predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The MMSE and MoCA scales, which are widely used in most modern epidemiological and clinical studies, were used for screening and assessment of cognitive disorders.

Results:
Patients were divided into 2 groups: I – with scores on MMSE scale  26 (moderate cognitive deficit, 26 people), II – with scores on MMSE scale  26 (mild cognitive deficit, 135 people). As a result of analysis, it was found that length of telomeres was statistically significantly shorter in patients of group I, the patients studied less, they had more pronounced situational anxiety, more pronounced intima-media thickness in both carotid arteries, and according to MoCA scale, they had pronounced impairment of cognitive functions (p<0.05). Group II patients had longer telomeres, studied longer, and had high personal anxiety.

Conclusions:
patients with cerebral atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus with mild cognitive impairment have longer telomeres, high personal anxiety, and a higher level of education.