Alterations in ventral attention network connectivity in individuals with prediabetes

ABSTRACT

Objective: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with aberrant neural functioning; however, the point at which brain function alterations occur in the progression of T2D is unknown. Here, we tested for differences in functional connectivity in adults with prediabetes and healthy individuals. We hypothesized that prediabetes, defined by glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) 5.7–6.4% would be associated with disruptions in default mode network (DMN) connectivity.

Methods: Fourteen brain networks were tested in 88 adults (prediabetes: n = 44; HbA_1c = 5.8±0.2%; healthy: n = 44; HbA_1c = 4.7±0.2%) matched for sex, age, and BMI.

Results: We did not find differences in DMN connectivity between groups. Individuals with prediabetes showed stronger connectivity between the ventral attention network and (1) a visual network (p_FWE = 0.0001); (2) a somatosensory network (p_FWE = 0.0027). Individuals with healthy HbA_1c showed stronger connectivity of the ventral attention network and (1) cingulo-opercular network (p_FWE  =  0.002); (2) a thalamic-striatal-visual network (p_FWE = 0.001).

Conclusions: Relative to individuals with prediabetes, those with a healthy HbA_1c showed stronger connectivity between brain networks underlying self-control and attention to stimuli. In contrast, those with prediabetes demonstrated stronger connectivity between brain networks associated with sensory and attention to stimuli. While T2D reported contribute to decreased DMN connectivity, prediabetes is characterized by a shift in functional connectivity from a self-control network towards increasing connectivity in sensory network.

KEYWORDS:

• Functional connectivity
• orbitofrontal cortex
• prediabetes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Human Connection Project for sharing their data.

Disclosure statement

Author 1 and Author 2 contributed equally to the analysis and drafting of the manuscript, Author 3 assisted in analysis design and drafting the manuscript. The guarantor is Author 3.

Notes on contributors

Jennifer R. Sadler is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Nutrition, UNC Chapel Hill.

Grace E. Shearrer is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition, UNC Chapel Hill.

Kyle S. Burger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition, and Faculty in the Biomedical Imaging Research Center, UNC Chapel Hill.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [R01 DK112317] and the American Diabetes Association [1-17-JDF-031].