Insights into the acute cerebral lesion of childhood diabetes and it's neuropsychological sequelae [ 2005 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Fergus Cameron (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Elisabeth Northam ,  Dr Robert Wellard ,  Prof George Werther ,  Prof Terrie Inder

Brief description Type 1 diabetes in childhood is a major cause of morbidity with an Australian prevalence of approximately 20 per 100,000 children under 15 years of age. The leading cause of death in type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents is diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by cerebral oedema (brain swelling), the origins of which remain unknown. This research is aimed at providing an insight into changes in the brain of children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and the relationship of these brain changes to short and long term neuropsychological functioning. The major aim of this project is to provide an insight into brain changes of children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and the relationship of these brain changes to subseuqent brain function. This is a study where we will simply observe differences between newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients with no ktoacidosis, ketoacidosis or ketoacidosis with brain swelling over 6 months. We will measure brain function using various techniques includiung: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), electrophysiology (EEG) and neuropsychological tests. The significance of this project is that it will provide insight into the brain impairment of diabetic patients with and without DKA, and with brain swelling in the context of DKA. By further clarifying the nature of brain impairment we will provide early intervention strategies to improve psychological development of the young patients with diabetes. In addition to this we hope to better understand the origins of brain swelling during DKA and design treatment protocols that will prevent this devastating complication.

Funding Amount $AUD 416,000.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant