Effects of Duration of Diabetes on Cognitive Functions in Streptozotocin Induced Young Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Background: Children with early onset Type I diabetes have been reported to show modest deficits on a wide range of neuropsychological tests. However, the contribution of duration of the disease with respect to cognitive dysfunction remains unresolved. The present study aims to determine the effects of different duration of hyperglycemia on cognitive function in young diabetic rats. Objectives: To determine the effect of 10 and 20 days duration of diabetes on cognitive functions. Materials and methods: Diabetes was induced in young rat pups, by streptozotocin injection (i.p) at a dose of 50 mg /kg.BW. Diabetic state was confirmed on 30th post natal day. 10 and 20 days after inducing diabetes, the rats were tested in passive avoidance box and Morris water maze, over a period of 10 days. Results: Diabetic rats showed significantly impaired cognitive functions, compared to their age matched controls. The cognitive impairment was greater in rats with 20 days of diabetic state compared to their 10 days counterparts. Conclusion: It is essential to diagnose and treat diabetes as early as possible in case of young children with Type I diabetes of early onset to prevent irreversible cognitive functions

Keywords

• diabetes
• cognition
• learning
• Morris water maze
• passive avoidance