Early heart changes linked to worsening kidney function in type 1 diabetes
Official title: Early myocardial remodeling and progressive kidney function decline in type 1 diabetes
Funded at Joslin Diabetes Center · NIH-11232350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will look at whether people with type 1 diabetes who are losing kidney function have early changes in heart muscle compared with people with stable kidney function and people without diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Joslin Diabetes Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 24, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $828,756 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL161858-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11232350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with type 1 diabetes and early chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 1–3A), especially those with documented GFR loss ≥3 ml/min/year over the past 3–6 years, as well as age-matched people without diabetes for the control group.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced kidney failure (CKD stage 4–5 or on dialysis), those with only type 2 diabetes, or anyone unable to undergo MRI are unlikely to be included or directly benefit from this project.
What this research studies
We will invite three groups of people: 100 with type 1 diabetes who have lost kidney function recently (GFR decliners), 100 with type 1 diabetes and stable kidney function, and 100 people without diabetes of similar age. Participants will get advanced cardiac MRI to measure heart muscle cell size and function, along with blood and urine biomarker tests and routine clinical exams. The team will compare imaging and biomarker results across the groups to find early signs of diabetic cardiomyopathy tied to kidney decline. Visits and imaging take place at the Joslin Diabetes Center and focus on adults with early-stage CKD (stage 1–3A).
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help detect heart muscle changes earlier in people with type 1 diabetes who are losing kidney function and guide ways to prevent heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Early work from this team and others has shown MRI markers can detect subtle heart muscle changes in diabetes, but this focused comparison by recent GFR loss is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doria, Alessandro — Joslin Diabetes Center
- Study coordinator: Doria, Alessandro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Technological and Educational Approaches to Restore Hypoglycemia Awareness in Type 1 Diabetes
A two-arm study in adults with type 1 diabetes tests whether high-tech glucose control plus education or targeted training can help people regain awareness of low blood sugar.
-
Techniques for restoring awareness of low blood sugar in adults with type 1 diabetes
A randomized trial compares different approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes recognize when their blood sugar is dipping so they can act quickly.
-
Treating impaired hypoglycemia awareness in type 1 diabetes with targeted education and technology
This study tests two treatment approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes who often don’t realize their blood sugar is getting too low, using a mix of technology and education in two large groups.
-
Helping people with type 1 diabetes regain awareness of dangerous lows
A UK study tests two different approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes recognize and respond to low blood sugar by comparing a high-tech insulin system with targeted education.
-
How the pancreas environment affects insulin-producing cells in type 1 diabetes
Researchers are studying how the surrounding tissue of the pancreas and its proteins influence insulin-producing cells in people with type 1 diabetes.
-
Understanding how hypoglycemia awareness changes in adults with type 1 diabetes and how automated insulin delivery and exercise might help restore it
This study will look at adults with type 1 diabetes to see how their awareness of low blood sugar evolves over time and whether automated insulin delivery and high-intensity exercise can help restore that awareness.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.