By Jill Pease
Type 1 diabetes is associated with increased risk of dementia in older adults, but little is known about the neurocognitive effects of Type 1 diabetes on children. A new study led by a University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions researcher seeks to shed light on how Type 1 diabetes may affect the brains of children with the disease.
Kimberly Driscoll, Ph.D., an associate professor in the PHHP department of clinical and health psychology, leads the new study with funding from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The project is funded by a $2.1 million U grant, which is designed to support high-priority research areas. Team members also include faculty members at the UF College of Medicine and the University of Virginia, as well as clinicians at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
Children with Type 1 diabetes are vulnerable to cognitive effects of the disease because of the important role glucose plays in healthy brain development. Previous research suggests that high blood sugar during critical periods of brain development can affect the formation, growth and connectivity of brain cells.
“Glucose is the most important source of energy for proper brain development and functioning; therefore, any imbalance in glucose is associated with changes in neurodevelopment,” said Driscoll, the director of diabetes behavioral science research at the UF Diabetes Institute. “There is an urgent need to assess brain development, neurocognition, psychological and social functioning in children at Type 1 diabetes-onset to identify opportunities to prevent or mitigate cognitive challenges across the lifespan.”
Brain imaging studies of people with Type 1 diabetes have found evidence of reduced volume and mass in specific brain regions, such as the hippocampus, which is involved in memory and learning. Type 1 diabetes can also affect the connections between brain cells and lead to delays in the development of the brain’s white matter. These changes can have long-term consequences for cognitive development, including effects on learning, memory and processing speed.
The new study has three main goals:
- Understand the impact of Type 1 diabetes on the brain and neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning.
- Examine risk and protective factors associated with Type 1 diabetes-related neurocognitive impact.
- Assess associations of diabetes technologies and neurocognitive functioning in children with Type 1 diabetes.
To accomplish this, the team will examine a number of factors, including biological, psychological, and social characteristics; brain structure and functioning using sophisticated neuroimaging and cognitive testing; evaluations of caregiver and child psychological health; and features of disease self-management.
“We hope our study will provide insight into how and when to capitalize on early opportunities to implement interventions to prevent or mitigate cognitive decline among children with Type 1 diabetes, and lead to the establishment of evidence-based recommendations for cognitive screening and follow-up, not only at diagnosis, but throughout childhood, adolescence and young and mid-adulthood,” Driscoll said.