Gestational diabetes is associated to the development of brain insulin resistance in the offspring

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as a form of glucose intolerance. Evidences for late metabolic and behavioral consequences to offspring born from GDM are emerging. More recent and concerning evidences point to detrimental effects of GDM on the behavior and cognitive capacity of the offspring. We aimed to review what is known about the consequences of GDM to brain and behavior of the offspring. A research was made in PubMed using the words gestational diabetes, insulin resistance, memory, cognition, brain, and offspring. The most relevant papers according to citations and with results suggesting that hyperglycemia in pregnancy is associated with inflammation and some mechanisms which are potentially involved with the late brain insulin resistance and its consequences in the GDM's offspring brain were selected. An increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders to offspring from GDM mothers has been suggested. Transient intra-uterine exposure to high glucose levels can interfere with neuronal integrity, survival and connectivity to offspring's brain. Fighting neuroinflammation during gestational period may avoid susceptibility for neurodegenerative disorders in the offspring.