Plasma Biomarkers of Brain Injury and Their Association With Brain MRI and Cognition in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors' conclusion
In this aging T1D cohort, biomarkers of brain injury did not demonstrate an AD-like profile. NfL emerged as a biomarker of interest in T1D because of its association with higher HbA1c, accelerated brain aging on MRI, and cognitive dysfunction. Our study suggests that early neurodegeneration in adults with T1D is likely due to non-AD/nonamyloid mechanisms.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with T1D in the DCCT/EDIC study; age 60 (range 44–74) years, T1D duration 38 (30–51) years
- Participants
- 373 adults
- Outcome
- Associations of plasma brain-injury biomarkers with MRI and cognition
Methodological detailsDCCT/EDIC cohort
- DCCT/EDIC cohort
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Higher NfL: increase in predicted brain age per 20% increase in NfL
- 0.51 years; P < 0.001
- Higher NfL: increase in odds of impaired cognition
- 19.5%; P < 0.01
- Higher NfL and pTau-181: lower psychomotor and mental efficiency, but not poorer memory
- P < 0.001
- Per 1% increase in mean HbA1c: higher NfL
- 14.6%; P < 0.0001
- Per 1% increase in mean HbA1c: higher pTau-181
- 12.8%; P < 0.0001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Plasma Biomarkers of Brain Injury and Their Association With Brain MRI and Cognition in Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. Published 11 June 2024. doi:10.
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