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Sex Differences in the Association Between Body Composition and Cognitive Performance in Adolescents With Type 1
Hussein Zaitoon1,2, Liat Perl1,2, Eyal Cohen-Sela1,2
1Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Body composition impacts spatial navigation in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Muscle-to-fat ratio is key for boys, while weight status is crucial for girls, highlighting sex-specific factors for cognitive health.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face higher risks of cognitive impairment, affecting memory, attention, and executive functions.
- Excess adiposity may negatively influence cognition through metabolic and inflammatory pathways.
- Understanding the link between body composition and cognitive function in T1D is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body composition components and spatial navigation abilities in adolescents with T1D.
- To explore potential sex-specific differences in these associations.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving 64 adolescents with T1D (mean age 15.9 years).
- Spatial navigation assessed using the Virtual Morris Water Maze Task (vMWMT).
- Body composition analyzed via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BMI and muscle-to-fat ratio z-scores); glycaemic control assessed (HbA1c, CGM).
Main Results:
- In boys, lower muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) z-scores and poorer glycaemic control (higher HbA1c, more time in hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia) correlated with impaired spatial navigation.
- Diabetes duration and lower MFR predicted longer navigation times in boys.
- In girls, higher BMI z-scores correlated with impaired spatial navigation; HbA1c at onset and higher BMI predicted longer navigation times.
Conclusions:
- Spatial navigation performance in adolescents with T1D is significantly influenced by body composition, with sex-specific patterns observed.
- Boys' performance is linked to muscle-to-fat ratio, while girls' is associated with weight status (BMI).
- Targeting these sex-specific factors is essential for optimizing cognitive function in this population.
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