Cerebral dysfunction in type 1 diabetes: effects of insulin, vascular risk factors and blood-glucose levels.
Type 1 diabetes can lead to several well-described complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy. Evidence is accumulating that it is also associated with gradually developing end-organ damage in the central nervous system. This relatively unknown complication can be referred to as "diabetic encephalopathy" and is characterised by electrophysiological and neuroradiological changes, such as delayed latencies of evoked potentials, modest cerebral atrophy and (periventricular) white matter lesions. Furthermore, individuals with type 1 diabetes may show performance deficits in a wide range of cognitive domains. The exact mechanisms underlying this diabetic encephalopathy are only partially known. Chronic metabolic and vascular changes appear to play an important role. Interestingly, the differences in the "cognitive profile" between type 1 and type 2 diabetes also suggest a critical role for disturbances of insulin action in the central nervous system.
Brands
Augustina M A
AM
Department of Neurology, G03.228, University Medical Center, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Kessels
Roy P C
RP
de Haan
Edward H F
EH
Kappelle
L Jaap
LJ
Biessels
Geert Jan
GJ
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000502:physiology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D011972:Receptor, Insulin