Type 1 diabetes is a significant health problem that affects many people. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
These trials are designed to find out more about how type 1 diabetes occurs. Relatives of people with type 1 diabetes have a 10 to 15 times greater risk of the disease than people without a family history. Because of this, we are screening close blood relatives of people with type 1 diabetes. Brothers, sisters, parents, children, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandchildren of people with type 1 diabetes may be eligible.
The first study, The TrialNet Natural History Study of the Development of Type 1 diabetes, involves testing for diabetes-related autoantibodies in the blood. Autoantibodies are proteins that are made by the body's immune system. If these proteins are present, it could mean that cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are damaged. Autoantibodies can be found in the blood years before type 1 diabetes occurs. Several different kinds of autoantibodies can be seen and the number of autoantibodies present may indicate the risk of developing diabetes.
The second study, Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Consortium, is an international effort to identify genes that affect the risk of type 1 diabetes. Doctors know that genes (DNA) play a major role in type 1 diabetes. This means that the risk for developing type 1 diabetes can run in a family and be passed from parents to children. Recent advances in science allow doctors to study the genes in families of people with diabetes to learn more about which genes affect the risk of disease. This information may help to develop better treatments or prevent health problems. In this study, families with two siblings who have type 1 diabetes provide blood samples for genetic testing. In addition, families and individuals of African or Mexican descent are strongly encouraged to participate, as there is a particular need for data from these ethnic groups.
The hope of both these trials is early identification of risk for development of type 1 diabetes and eventually prevention.