Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Behavioral Assessment of Visual Function via Optomotor Response and Cognitive Function via Y-Maze in Diabetic Rats
07:41

Behavioral Assessment of Visual Function via Optomotor Response and Cognitive Function via Y-Maze in Diabetic Rats

Published on: October 23, 2020

Cognitive function in 6- to 12-year-old offspring of women with Type 1 diabetes

R C Temple1, M Hardiman, M Pellegrini

  • 1Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich, UK. rosemary.temple@nnuh.nhs.uk

Diabetic Medicine : a Journal of the British Diabetic Association
|March 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children of mothers with Type 1 diabetes show normal overall intelligence but impaired working memory. Specific risk factors for this cognitive difference in offspring remain unidentified in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Maternal diabetes is a known risk factor for adverse offspring outcomes.
  • Previous research indicates potential links between maternal diabetes and later childhood obesity and congenital malformations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of maternal diabetes on the cognitive function of offspring.
  • To assess specific cognitive domains, including working memory, in children exposed to maternal diabetes during gestation.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 40 offspring aged 6-12 years born to mothers with Type 1 diabetes.
  • Assessed cognitive function using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, version 4 (WISC-IV).
  • Monitored maternal HbA(1c) levels throughout pregnancy.

Main Results:

  • Offspring exhibited normal overall full-scale IQ compared to UK normative data.
  • Significantly poorer working memory scores were observed in the offspring group compared to controls.
  • No correlation was found between working memory deficits and maternal HbA(1c), gestational age, birth weight ratio, or maternal diabetes duration.

Conclusions:

  • Offspring of women with Type 1 diabetes demonstrate intact general cognitive abilities but exhibit deficits in working memory.
  • Current findings do not identify specific risk factors contributing to the observed working memory impairment.
  • Larger studies are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms behind this memory defect and identify potential modifiable risk factors.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Osmotic Minipump Implantation for Increasing Glucose Concentration in Mouse Cerebrospinal Fluid06:21

Osmotic Minipump Implantation for Increasing Glucose Concentration in Mouse Cerebrospinal Fluid

Published on: April 7, 2023

Monitoring Blood Glucose in Mouse Offspring After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection06:11

Monitoring Blood Glucose in Mouse Offspring After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Published on: May 17, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:26

Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction01:12

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations01:19

Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations

Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the kidneys...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...