High and Low Blood Sugars: How Do They Affect Cognitive Performance?

Dr. Fran Cogen Caregiver Director, Child/Adolescent Diabetes Program at Children's Nat'l Fran R. Cogen, MD, CDE, originally from New York, has resided in San... Send Message Subscribe: Dr. Fran Cogen

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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David Mendosa recently posted a blog about "glycemic variability." Most people have come to expect that their diabetes control is primarily evaluated by the hb A1C level. Indeed, the hb A1c is correlated with a three-month estimated average glucose level, which is very helpful to know in terms of the...

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Beth McNamara
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 12:11 PM

This information is insightful and I've been seeking this type of evidence-based correlation from the medical community in regards to cognitive performance. I have a specific question: Have you seen any correlation, or know of any discussions, of Type 1 aggravating symptoms of ADD, specifically inattententiveness? Again, thanks for this! Beth

re: Untitled Comment
Dr. Fran Cogen
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Hi Beth: It seems that many of my type 1 patients also have ADHD and are on some form of stimulant medication. These kids tend to have issues in regard to testing and taking their insulin appropriately (if on the pump or basal/bolus) due to distraction/ inattentiveness etc. Anecdotal evidence indicates to me that both highs and lows can contribute further to underlying inattentiveness. However, I do not know off hand of any evidence-based literature that actually looked at this in type 1 kids with ADHD. It seems to reason however that it would be so. Hope this is helpful.

Does insufficient insulin cause retardation??
Archie
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 05:47 PM

Yes it does. But that is only because the brain functions in relation to adequate insulin or no insulin. Sadly, most diabetic children do not get insulin regularly enough maintain proper brain function.