IQ may be linked to childhood diabetes
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 10:37 AM

We often like to think that our health is independent of other functions - that getting sick won't impact our ability to think clearly, for instance. However, our bodily wellness, mental health and emotions are all tied together. Research seems to support that notion. According to a study published in the journal Diabetes Cares, run by the American Diabetes Association, kids who have Type 1 diabetes are more likely to have a decreased IQ score when they reach adulthood. The illness, which affects blood insulin levels, impacts people's daily lives, so it's not a total surprise that it could influence cognition as well.

Type 1
According to the ADA, Type 1 diabetes is often called "juvenile diabetes" because it most often affects children. While only 5 percent of the population has Type 1 diabetes, it can disrupt the lives of patients. With this disease, the body does not produce any insulin, meaning patients can't convert starches to sugar (among other processes) without the help of medication therapy. Fortunately, insulin hormone treatments help kids with Type 1 diabetes live normal, healthy lives. 

Diabetes and IQ
Diabetes can affect the brain, especially if the patient does not take proper care of his or her condition. Kids' minds are especially vulnerable, as they are developing quickly. To see the degree to which Type 1 diabetes impacts IQ, researchers studied children who had early-onset Type 1 diabetes, and checked in on them 12 years later.

Both initially and after the 12-year period, participants completed the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised, Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised tests. The study revealed that over time, children with Type 1 diabetes showed a decline in certain aspects of intelligence, but not others. Participants who had diabetes saw a reduced score on their verbal and full-scale scores, but not on performance IQ. Children who did not have diabetes did not experience declines in intelligence. 

Certain issues connected to diabetes increased risk of reducing IQ. Those who regularly experienced hypoglycemic seizures had a greater risk of IQ decline than those who did not. What's more, the study also revealed that metabolic control, or maintaining a healthy metabolism, did not impact cognitive function.

Staying healthy
Researchers noted that parents and teachers should monitor the academic performance of children with Type 1 diabetes. Because these students have a high risk of a decreased IQ, watching their school progress closely is important. If necessary, parents of kids with Type 1 diabetes should seek additional academic support, such as tutoring.