ABSTRACT
The young brain is a dynamic organism with specific structural and functional developments occurring at predetermined times and, as with any brain insult, the consequences vary depending on the timing. Historically, much of the evidence regarding the impact of childhood diabetes on cognitive function was derived from research with adults. The vast majority of evidence regarding the long-term effects of hypoglycaemia on neuropsychological functioning is based on adults with longstanding diabetes and the results are controversial. While it was originally thought that non-DKA episodes of hyperglycaemia were likely to have little or no effect on cognitive function, research is now beginning to suggest that there may indeed be consequences. Attempts have been made to map the developmental trajectory of cognitive risk in diabetes and to examine the interaction between onset and frequency or duration of exposure to glycaemic extremes on selected cognitive functions.
