This proposal will focus on the consequences of, and possible treatments for brain dysfunction in young children with T1 diabetes (T1D). Animal and human research data suggest that both hypo- and hyper-glycemia can be deleterious to brain development, structure and function, with specific brain regions and neural circuits (e.g., fronto-parietal) appearing to be especially vulnerable. In particular, chronic hyperglycemia can affect white matter (WM) volume, myelin glycosylation and specific neurocognitive metrics. However, tight glycemic control in young children with T1D has been limited by risk of hypoglycemia and consequent cognitive impairment. We have compelling new data on brain and cognition differences between 4-9 y/o children with T1D and nondiabetic controls; differences that are strongly associated with hyperglycemia. These results raise important questions about the short- and long-term trajectory of brain development in childhood T1D, pathogenic mechanisms, and the possible impact of targeted interventions. Many of these questions will be addressed with state-of-the-art research methods in this multicenter RO1 in 2 distinct, yet complimentary protocols. Protocol #1 is a longitudinal, natural history study in a large cohort of very young children with T1D and controls for whom we have multi-modal MRI and neurocognitive data at baseline and 18 months.
Our aims are to determine: 1) if abnormalities in total and regional GM and WM volumes and WM microstructure change over time, and whether changes are associated with measures of glycemic control; 2) if subjects with T1D show abnormalities in blood oxygen level dependent functional MRI activation of fronto-parietal networks associated with visual-spatial working memory and response inhibition, and if are there abnormalities in functional connectivity of resting state networks; 3) if there are longitudinal changes in normalized scores for IQ, executive, visual-spatial and memory functions in the T1D group, and whether changes are associated with measures of glycemic control. Unsedated structural MRI, DTI and fMRI will be performed twice 2 years apart, using identical 3T scanners, along with age-appropriate neurocognitive testing, and continuous glucose monitoring quarterly. Project #2 is an exploratory study -planned to start in year 3 using children who complete protocol #1 and are >10yrs.
Our aim i s to determine if substantial tightening of glycemic control overnight and more scrupulous avoidance of nocturnal hypoglycemia using nighttime closed loop (CL) devices for 3 months: (a) alters total and regional GM and WM volumes and WM microstructure as well as task-related and resting- state BOLD activation; and, b) improves specific neurocognitive metrics reflecting vulnerable neural circuits in T1D compared to standard treatment. Our highly qualified group of investigators has a well-established infrastructure, research tools and track record of productivity to successfully perform these studies. This innovative proposal will considerably expand our knowledge on the trajectories of brain and cognitive development in very young children with T1D, an area not well studied and of great contemporary importance.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed studies critically examine differences in brain structure and brain function in young children with type 1 diabetes as compared with non diabetic controls over time, and correlate these changes with changes in blood sugar concentrations in the children with diabetes. It also explores the use of state-of-the-art closed loop technologies in which the insulin delivery is automated and integrated with the blood sugars overnight to assess if near-normalization of blood sugars improves observed brain changes in adolescents with early onset diabetes. Considering type 1diabetes is the 2nd most common chronic disease in childhood, strategies to better understand and possibly treat early brain abnormalities is an area of significant public health interest in pediatrics.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD078463-04
Application #
9271207
Study Section
Pediatrics Subcommittee (CHHD-A)
Program Officer
Winer, Karen
Project Start
2014-09-10
Project End
2019-05-31
Budget Start
2017-06-01
Budget End
2018-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$2,679,321
Indirect Cost
$134,896
Name
Nemours Children's Clinic
Department
Type
Other Domestic Non-Profits
DUNS #
031682750
City
Jacksonville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32207
Fox, Larry A; Hershey, Tamara; Mauras, Nelly et al. (2018) Persistence of abnormalities in white matter in children with type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia 61:1538-1547
Mazaika, Paul K; Aye, Tandy; Reiss, Allan L et al. (2018) Large Changes in Brain Volume Observed in an Asymptomatic Young Child With Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 41:1535-1537
Foland-Ross, Lara C; Reiss, Allan L; Mazaika, Paul K et al. (2018) Longitudinal assessment of hippocampus structure in children with type 1 diabetes. Pediatr Diabetes :
Saggar, Manish; Tsalikian, Eva; Mauras, Nelly et al. (2017) Compensatory Hyperconnectivity in Developing Brains of Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes 66:754-762
Mazaika, Paul K; Weinzimer, Stuart A; Mauras, Nelly et al. (2016) Variations in Brain Volume and Growth in Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes 65:476-85
Tansey, M; Beck, R; Ruedy, K et al. (2016) Persistently high glucose levels in young children with type 1 diabetes. Pediatr Diabetes 17:93-100
Cato, Allison; Hershey, Tamara (2016) Cognition and Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents. Diabetes Spectr 29:197-202
Hosseini, S M Hadi; Mazaika, Paul; Mauras, Nelly et al. (2016) Altered Integration of Structural Covariance Networks in Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4034-4046
Cato, M Allison; Mauras, Nelly; Mazaika, Paul et al. (2016) Longitudinal Evaluation of Cognitive Functioning in Young Children with Type 1 Diabetes over 18 Months. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 22:293-302
Mauras, Nelly; Mazaika, Paul; Buckingham, Bruce et al. (2015) Longitudinal assessment of neuroanatomical and cognitive differences in young children with type 1 diabetes: association with hyperglycemia. Diabetes 64:1770-9

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