Cognitive Function Is Disrupted by Both Hypo- and Hyperglycemia in School-AgedChildren With Type 1 D

Cognitive Function Is Disrupted by Both Hypo- and Hyperglycemia in School-AgedChildren With Type 1 Diabetes: A Field Study

1. Linda A. Gonder-Frederick, PHD1, John F. Zrebiec, MSW2,Andrea U. Bauchowitz, PHD3, LeeM. Ritterband, PHD1, Joshua C. Magee, MA1, Daniel J. Cox, PHD1 and
2. William L. Clarke, MD4

+Author Affiliations

1. <LI class=aff>1Behavioral Medicine Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virgina; <LI class=aff>2Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; <LI class=aff>3Patton State Hospital, Patton, California;
2. 4Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia.

1. Corresponding author: Linda Gonder-Frederick, lag3g@virginia.edu.

Cognitive Function Is Disrupted by Both Hypo- and Hyperglycemia in School-AgedChildren With Type 1 Diabetes: A Field Study ? ...



Abstract

OBJECTIVE We developed a field procedure using personal digital assistant (PDA) technology to test the hypothesis that naturally occurring episodes of hypo- and hyperglycemia are associated with deterioration in cognitive function in children with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 61 children aged 6?11 years with type 1 diabetes received a PDA programmed with two brief cognitive tests (mental math and choice reaction time), which they completed just before home glucose readings. The computer recorded time to complete each test and number of correct responses. Children completed several trials per day over 4?6 weeks for a total of 70 trials. Performance variables were compared across glucose ranges. Individual impairment scores (IISs) were also computed for each child by calculating the SD between performance during euglycemia and that during glucose extremes.

RESULTS Time to complete both mental math and reaction time was significantly longer during hypoglycemia. During hyperglycemia, time to complete math was significantly longer and reaction time was marginally significant (P = 0.053). There were no differences on task accuracy. Decline in mental math performance was equivalent at glucose levels <3.0 and >22.2 mmol/l. IISs varied greatly across children, with no age or sex differences.

CONCLUSIONS A decrease in mental efficiency occurs with naturally occurring hypo- and hyperglycemic glucose fluctuations in children with type 1 diabetes, and this effect can be detected with a field procedure using PDA technology. With blood glucose levels >22.2 mmol/l, cognitive deterioration equals that associated with significant hypoglycemia.

 

This is great to have available. Thanks for posting.​

I hope that the full article goes into more detail giving length of tasks and range of impairment. If so then, a paragraph or two from that article would make a fine addition to any 504 accomodation plan.

Our plan stipulates no exams when BG is out of range (with exams to be made up-without penalty) when BG has been in range for a specified period of time)-- and my daughter tests during the longer exams as well.