Brain Development in Infants of Mothers With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects maternal health during pregnancy.
• Potential impacts of GDM on fetal brain development are not fully understood.
• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows for in-vivo assessment of white matter microstructure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate neurocognitive performance in infants exposed to maternal GDM.
• To identify microstructural white matter alterations in these infants using DTI.
• To correlate white matter changes with neurocognitive outcomes.

Main Methods:

• DTI scans and neurocognitive tests were performed on infants of mothers with GDM (n=31) and controls (n=31).
• Fractional anisotropy (FA) values, a DTI measure of white matter integrity, were compared between groups.
• Correlation analysis was conducted between FA values and neurocognitive test results in the GDM-exposed group.

Main Results:

• Infants exposed to GDM exhibited significantly decreased FA in the splenium of the corpus callosum, posterior limb of the internal capsule, and thalamus compared to controls.
• These regions showed microstructural white matter abnormalities in the GDM-exposed group.
• Lower FA values were significantly associated with poorer neurocognitive performance in GDM-exposed infants.

Conclusions:

• Maternal GDM is associated with significant microstructural white matter abnormalities in offspring.
• These brain alterations are linked to impaired neurocognitive development.
• Findings suggest a potential direct impact of GDM on fetal brain development.