# Identifying Modifiable Risk and Protective Factors for Neurocognitive Complications of Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes

> **NIH NIH U34** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $363,367

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Meta-analytic studies have identified small but significant deficits in neurocognitive functioning in children with
type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared to their peers without diabetes, especially in the areas of memory, learning,
and executive function skills. Further, neuroimaging studies consistently observe differences in brain structures
and brain development in children with T1D, particularly brain white matter microstructure. Evidence suggests
that factors such as age of onset, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at time of onset, and exposure to chronic
hyperglycemia or severe hypoglycemia may increase risk or severity of these deficits but findings are mixed,
and many studies were limited by the inclusion of older adolescents or adults with T1D, small samples or
cross-sectional designs. Thus, a large prospective study of young children with T1D followed over time with
rigorous assessment and follow-up is needed to identify modifiable risk and protective factors for
neurocognitive complications in this population. This U34 planning award will provide the time and resources
needed to prepare for an observational, longitudinal cohort study of young children with T1D (age 6 to 10 years
at enrollment), and a comparison group of children without diabetes. We will establish contracts with other
clinical research centers, obtain data needed to develop neuroimaging harmonization plans, and finalize the
protocols, including neuroimaging and neurocognitive testing. Our multidisciplinary team includes a pediatric
psychologist, a pediatric neurologist, a pediatric endocrinologist, and a pediatric neuroradiologist; experts in
imaging science and harmonization of imaging data, as well as a biostatistician experienced in analyses with
imaging data, and a researcher using a novel mobile phone-based method to capture child function in real-
time, called ecological momentary assessment. The Children's Diabetes Program (CDP) Vanderbilt University
Medical Center serves a large, diverse population of children with T1D and has a strong history of multicenter
collaborations with other pediatric diabetes centers. The proposed project will assess hypothesized risk factors
(age of onset, DKA at presentation and glycemic control), as well as potentially modifiable protective factors
(child sleep quality, caregiver distress, and use of diabetes devices). In addition, we will optimize imaging
protocols and processing tools to allow for harmonization of neuroimaging data across sites and scanners for
the most robust analysis. This project has the potential to influence standards of clinical care for children with
T1D and to pinpoint critical periods for prevention and intervention to improve brain health and function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10021646
- **Project number:** 5U34DK123895-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah S Jaser
- **Activity code:** U34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $363,367
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-20 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10021646

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10021646, Identifying Modifiable Risk and Protective Factors for Neurocognitive Complications of Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes (5U34DK123895-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10021646. Licensed CC0.

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