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Children and adolescents older than age 8 at the onset of type 1 diabetes were found to have weaker brain connectivity according to a new research. The subjects were tested later in life relative to those who had earlier ages of diagnosis. 

"Adolescence is a time when the brain matures and makes connections in networks responsible for different functions," said John Ryan, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at Pitt in the press release. 

"Further study is needed to determine if and how the onset of type 1 diabetes shortly before or during puberty affects brain function and how better control of the disease at that important time could yield changes in brain function later in life."

Around 50 percent of the participants had onset of type 1 diabetes before age 8 and were later matched with participants of the same sex and age who were diagnosed between age 8 and 17. 

"The fact that adults with type 1 diabetes are now living longer than ever is certainly a success of treatment advancements, but it also presents an urgent public health problem," said Caterina Rosano, M.D., M.P.H., senior author of this work and associate professor of epidemiology at Pitt Public Health in the press release.

"A striking feature of these patients is that they develop brain abnormalities similar to those observed in much older adults without diabetes. It is very possible that older age may amplify the progression of brain abnormalities and possibly lead to a faster cognitive decline than what would be observed because of age alone. We need to rapidly identify and prevent the characteristics of this accelerated brain aging in type 1 diabetics if we want to ensure the highest quality of life for these patients."

The findings of the research were presented at the American Psychosomatic Society's annual meeting.