Tag: Dr. Tansey

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It has long been wondered what effects diabetes in kids may have on the developing brain. Recent studies suggest that higher glucose levels found in poorly controlled diabetes alter brain development. Dr. Tsalikian is an author on a recent manuscript (link) published in the prestigious journal Diabetologia furthering these observations. The multicenter observational trial found that among children with diabetes, those with higher average glucose levels had greater degrees of persistent disruption of their brain white matter, and that the changes in white matter were associated with worsened cognitive performance. These results suggest that good glucose control is important for future brain function in children with diabetes. However, since the study was observational and correlative, these conclusions are not truly definitive and further study is needed. It remains crucial that children with diabetes be followed by an expert pediatric endocrinology team, such as at the University of Iowa. Several other of our division members contributed to this work, including Dr. Tansey, along with study coordinators Julie Coffey MSN, Joanne Cabbage, and Sara Salamati.

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Dr. Tsalikian has helped author a recent manuscript aimed at better understanding whether diabetic ketoacidosis might impact brain development in children. This manuscript was published this month in the prestigious journal Diabetes Care (permanent link to manuscript, link to public free version). They found that children who had experienced moderate-to-severe diabetic ketoacidosis had altered brain dimensions and lower cognitive scores. These results, though only correlative, suggest that moderate-to-severe diabetic ketoacidosis has an adverse impact on the developing brain. Several other of our division members contributed to this work, including Dr. Tansey, along with study coordinators Julie Coffey MSN, Joanne Cabbage, and Sara Salamati.