ATN blood biomarkers are related to digital cognitive assessment in type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION: Associations between amyloid-tau-neurodegeneration (ATN) plasma biomarkers and cognition have not been characterized in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: Using data from participants in the Glycemic Variability and Fluctuations in Cognitive Status in Adults with T1D (GluCog) study (N = 114), we evaluated associations between phosphorylated tau (pTau)181, pTau217, β-amyloid 42/40 ratio, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NfL) and self-administered digital cognitive tests, adjusting for age, sex, education, comorbidities (e.g., kidney disease), and glycemic indices. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of pTau181 and GFAP were associated with slower responses on working memory tasks (pTau181: β = 0.261; p = 0.007; GFAP: β = 0.175, p = 0.036), and higher β-amyloid 42/40 ratio was associated with better vocabulary (β = 0.260, p = 0.009). Discussion: Digital cognitive performance was associated with several ATN plasma biomarkers in T1D adults. Prospective studies are needed to understand the utility of these biomarkers in T1D. Highlights: There is an increase in life expectancy for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Few studies investigate the relationship between T1D and neurodegeneration. We characterize the relation between ATN plasma biomarkers and cognitive function. Digital cognitive performance was associated with plasma biomarkers in T1D adults.