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Diminished IQ with type 1 diabetes more likely with early onset, hypoglycemic seizures
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Type 1 diabetes could negatively affect some areas of IQ over time, with age of onset and hypoglycemic episodes appearing to play a role in the cognitive risks, according to research published in Diabetes Care.
“We demonstrated declines in IQ associated with the specific diabetes-related risks of early diabetes onset and history of hypoglycemic seizure, but not hyperglycemia,” the researchers wrote.
Ashleigh Lin, PhD, of the Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, and colleagues from other institutions studied patients with type 1 diabetes (n = 95) and healthy control participants (n = 67) from a cohort prospectively followed for 12 years. The groups were stratified for age and sex and were, on average, aged 21 years at follow-up.
The researchers assessed cognitive measures at baseline using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, and at follow-up using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. Data on metabolic control history also were collected.
Compared with healthy controls, patients with type 1 diabetes showed diminished verbal IQ and full-scale IQ, but not performance IQ. Among the diabetes group, younger age at disease onset was associated with both reduced performance IQ and full-scale IQ (P ≤ .001), and history of hypoglycemic seizures was associated with reduced verbal IQ (P = .002).
Maintaining metabolic control over the long term was not associated with changes in IQ, with interaction terms suggesting no moderating effect of one diabetes-related variable over another.
The researchers underscored the importance of monitoring academic progress of children identified as being at risk, with educational supports provided if necessary.
“More frequent assessment of youth with type 1 diabetes will help clarify the timing and trajectory of functional and structural brain changes to optimize intervention,” the researchers wrote. – by Allegra Tiver
Disclosure: Some of the researchers report relationships with Antisense Therapeutics Limited (Australia), Eli Lilly, Ipsen, Medtronic, Neuren (Australia), Pfizer (Australia), Novo Nordisk and Sandoz.
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