Tim Jones; Mike Anderson; Liz Davis
Study Staff: Kaitie McNamara; Nooshi Rath
Previous research has indicated that children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may experience deficits in their neurocognitive development compared with healthy children. Whilst the impact that T1DM has on the developing brain remains controversial, evidence suggests that these deficits may reflect the occurrence of episodes of severe hypoglycaemia. Previous studies have found a link between hypoglycaemia history and cognitive ability on a number of cognitive domains including verbal IQ, verbal memory short-term memory and attention. These findings are not always replicated and, as yet, there is no consensus as to how episodes of severe hypoglycaemia affect the developing brain. Our previous study however indicated that performance on tasks of executive function and fluid intelligence was significantly poorer in individuals with T1DM, and there is a suggestion of associated differences in frontal functioning as indicated by ERP (event-related potential) studies.
The main aim of the Neurocognitive Outcomes study is to conduct an analysis of children with TIDM’s cognitive profile at an age in which both cognition and cortical development are still maturing (7-11 years). This will be achieved through the use of neurocognitive assessment, electroencephalogram (EEG) technology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screens. We are also analysing the cognitive profile of a healthy sibling comparison group. In particular we will test the hypothesis that if there are cognitive deficits associated with T1DM, they are more likely to be found in measures of fluid intelligence and executive (frontal) functions. This study is run in collaboration with the Neurocognitive Development Unit at the School of Psychology, UWA.
Funder: PMH Foundation; APEG grant