Effects of diabetes on neurocognitive function of children

Abstract

A coherent model of brain-behaviour relationships specific to type 1 diabetes in children remains a work in progress, but there is consensus that the brain is one of the organ systems impacted by the disease. This chapter reviews current evidence for morphologic changes, altered cerebral growth trajectories and reduced functional interconnectivity in the central nervous system in children and adolescents with diabetes, especially following early onset disease. Effects of diabetes on cognition and functional outcomes such as academic achievement, mental health, work participation and quality of life are discussed, and persisting challenges in understanding precise causal mechanisms that may facilitate preventive interventions are noted.