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Brain Health in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Risk and Protective Factors

  • Psychosocial Aspects (SS Jaser, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To synthesize findings from studies of neurocognitive complications in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and highlight potential risk and protective factors.

Recent Findings

Emerging evidence suggests that hyperglycemia and time in range may be more important for brain development than episodes of hypoglycemia. Further, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the time of T1D diagnosis appears to be a particular risk factor for neurocognitive complications, particularly deficits in executive function skills and memory, with differences in cerebral white matter microstructure seen via advanced magnetic resonance imaging methods, and lower scores on measures of attention and memory observed among children who were diagnosed in DKA. Other factors that may influence neurocognitive development include child sleep, caregiver distress, and diabetes device use, presumably due to improved glycemic control.

Summary

We highlight neurocognitive risk and protective factors for children with T1D and priorities for future research in this high-risk population.

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NIH/NIDDK U34-DK123895

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Ave., Suite 1200, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA

    Sarah S. Jaser & Lori C. Jordan

  2. Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Lori C. Jordan

  3. Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Lori C. Jordan

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  1. Sarah S. Jaser
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  2. Lori C. Jordan
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SSJ researched and wrote the paper. LJ researched and wrote the paper.

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Correspondence to Sarah S. Jaser.

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Jaser, S.S., Jordan, L.C. Brain Health in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Risk and Protective Factors. Curr Diab Rep 21, 12 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-021-01380-w

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