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Diabetes-Associated Changes in Cortical Auditory-Evoked Potentials in Relation to Normal Aging.
Dawn Konrad-Martin1, Curtis J Billings, Garnett P McMillan
11Veterans Affairs (VA) Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (RR&D) National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA; 2Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA; and 3Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly slows auditory processing at the cortical level, indicated by delayed P2 and N1 latencies, independent of age or hearing loss. These effects are comparable in insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Audiology
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent condition with known systemic effects.
- Aging also impacts neural processing, including auditory pathways.
- The specific influence of DM on central auditory processing, separate from aging, requires elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of type 2 DM on cortical auditory-evoked potentials (CAEPs), distinct from normal aging.
- To investigate if insulin dependence modifies the impact of DM on CAEPs.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of Veterans with and without type 2 DM, stratified by insulin dependence.
- CAEPs were measured using a passive paradigm with auditory stimuli.
- Analyses adjusted for hearing thresholds and explored age-related differences using multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Type 2 DM was associated with prolonged P2 and N1 latencies, indicating slowed neural conduction.
- P2 latency delays due to DM (7-9 msec) were substantial compared to age-related changes (9 msec/decade).
- Effects were consistent across insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent groups, with no significant amplitude reduction.
Conclusions:
- Type 2 DM independently slows cortical auditory processing, affecting both N1 and P2 latencies.
- The magnitude of P2 latency delay suggests early-onset DM-related neural changes.
- Findings highlight the central auditory system as a target of type 2 DM pathology.
