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Neurocognitive sequelae of infants of diabetic mothers
C A Nelson1, S Wewerka, K M Thomas
1Institute of Child Development and Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA. canelson@tc.umn.edu
Insights
Infants of diabetic mothers may have memory deficits detectable by event-related potentials (ERPs), but not behavioral tests, suggesting hippocampal involvement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Animal models suggest infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) face risks like iron deficiency, hypoxia, and hypoglycemia.
- These factors may lead to hippocampal damage and subsequent recognition memory impairments in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate recognition memory deficits in 6-month-old IDMs compared to controls.
- To evaluate the utility of electrophysiological and behavioral measures in detecting these deficits.
Main Methods:
- Assessed memory in 6-month-old IDMs and controls using event-related potentials (ERPs) and looking time measures.
- Administered the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 12 months for further assessment.
Main Results:
- ERPs revealed significant memory deficits in IDMs, consistent with the hypothesis.
- Behavioral measures (looking time) and the Bayley exam did not differentiate between IDMs and controls.
Conclusions:
- Electrophysiological (ERP) measures are sensitive to early recognition memory deficits in at-risk infants.
- Behavioral assessments may not capture subtle memory impairments mediated by hippocampal function in IDMs.
Abstract:
On the basis of animal models, it was hypothesized that infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) would be at risk for suffering damage to the hippocampus primarily because of fetal iron deficiency, chronic hypoxia, and hypoglycemia. This, in turn, may result in impairments in recognition memory at a young age. To test this model, the memory of 6-month-old IDMs and control infants was evaluated with electrophysiological (event-related potential [ERP]) and behavioral (looking time) measures. At 12 months, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development was administered. Our ERP measures showed robust evidence consistent with memory deficits in the IDMs. In contrast, the looking time measures and the Bayley exam failed to distinguish between the groups. From these results it was concluded that the ERP, but not the behavioral, measures are able to detect, in an at-risk population, deficits in recognition memory that are thought to be mediated by damage to the hippocampus.