ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetic encephalopathy is a recently recognised complication of early-onset type 1 diabetes in children. The abnormalities underlying diabetic encephalopathy are complex and poorly understood, and the impact of disease duration on behavioural and cognitive parameters also remains unclear. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of different durations of hyperglycaemia on behavioural and cognitive parameters in young streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in young, weaned, age-matched rat pups by streptozotocin injection (50 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Diabetic status was confirmed on post-natal day 30. The rats were tested in the elevated plus maze 10 and 2o days after diabetes induction. Results: Diabetic rats had significantly impaired behavioural and cognitive functions compared with age-matched controls. Increased anxiety levels and cognitive deficits were observed in rats that had been diabetic for 20 days compared with their 10-day counterparts. Conclusion: It is essential to diagnose and treat early-onset type 1 diabetes in young children to prevent irreversible cognitive dysfunction.