Effects of Cystic Fibrosis and Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes on Brain Structure and Cognitive Function

A growing body of evidence suggests that hyperglycemia in type 1 and type 2 diabetes is associated with alterations in brain structure and cognitive impairment. People with cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CRFD) are exposed to hyperglycemia as seen in other forms of diabetes, and cystic fibrosis is also associated with chronic systemic inflammation. Both hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation have been postulated to affect brain structure and function. Cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator (CFTR). protein is widely expressed in the neurons of the brain including in the hippocampus The hippocampus plays an essential role in learning and memory processing and is thought to be particularly vulnerable to effects of metabolic stressors. The expression of CFTR in neurons has several potential implications for central nervous system function, including cognition.

The long-term goal of this project is to examine the effects of cystic fibrosis (CF) and cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) on brain structure and function.