Introduction & Objective: DR is shown to predict AD in type 2 diabetes, but less is known in T1D where DR burden is significant. This study examined differences in levels of phosphorylated tau-181 (pTau181), a validated preclinical biomarker of AD neuropathology, between adults with and without T1D, and its relationships with DR.
Methods: Plasma samples from the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes study were analyzed for pTau181 (pg/mL). Participants were adults with T1D and age-similar controls. DR was classified as none/mild (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] score ≤31) or moderate/severe (ETDRS score ≥47). Log transformed pTau181 was examined by group via linear regression adjusted for age, BMI, sex, race, and smoking status.
Results: 121 participants (median age 53 years, 55% female) were included (T1D with moderate/severe DR, n=41; T1D with none/mild DR, n=41; controls, n=39). In the adjusted model, moderate/severe DR was associated with significantly higher pTau181 compared to controls (estimate=0.13, SE=0.05, p=0.01). Age was positively associated with pTau181 (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Adults with T1D and moderate/severe DR show evidence of preclinical AD neuropathology, but adults with T1D and no/mild DR do not differ from people without T1D. Further studies are needed to delineate relationships between DR and AD in T1D.
M.E. Pauley: None. A. Shapiro: None. C. Coughlan: None. F. Dong: None. J.K. Snell-Bergeon: None.
NIH R01 HL113029; NIH NIDDK (T325T32DK063687); DiabDocs Physician-Scientist Career Development Award: NIH NIDDK (K12DK133995) & The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to Stanford University (2305-06041)
