Resting-state brain networks in type 1 diabetic patients with and without microangiopathy and their relation to cognitive functions and disease variables

Diabetes. 2012 Jul;61(7):1814-21. doi: 10.2337/db11-1358. Epub 2012 Mar 20.

Abstract

Cognitive functioning depends on intact brain networks that can be assessed with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques. We hypothesized that cognitive decrements in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are associated with alterations in resting-state neural connectivity and that these changes vary according to the degree of microangiopathy. T1DM patients with (MA(+): n = 49) and without (MA(-): n = 52) microangiopathy were compared with 48 healthy control subjects. All completed a neuropsychological assessment and resting-state fMRI. Networks were identified using multisubject independent component analysis; specific group differences within each network were analyzed using the dual-regression method, corrected for confounding factors and multiple comparisons. Relative to control subjects, MA(-) patients showed increased connectivity in networks involved in motor and visual processes, whereas MA(+) patients showed decreased connectivity in networks involving attention, working memory, auditory and language processing, and motor and visual processes. Better information-processing speed and general cognitive ability were related to increased degree of connectivity. T1DM is associated with a functional reorganization of neural networks that varies, dependent on the presence or absence of microangiopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Auditory Perception / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex / blood supply
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / physiopathology*
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Net / blood supply
  • Nerve Net / physiopathology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Visual Perception / physiology