Focused ultrasound to change blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
Official title: Mechanism of ultrasound neuromodulation effects on glucose homeostasis and diabetes
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11291875 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team is using focused ultrasound aimed at nerves near the liver to try to reset the brain's control of blood sugar for people with adult-onset (type 2) diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $742,174 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131127-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11291875 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes, especially those with hard-to-control blood sugar despite current medications, would be the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with type 1 diabetes, children, pregnant people, or patients whose high glucose is caused by other non-metabolic conditions are less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
This work uses short pulses of focused ultrasound applied near the hepatoportal area (the nerve-rich region by the liver) to change signals that go to the brain and control glucose. Early experiments in rodents showed that brief ultrasound sessions can produce long-lasting normalization of blood sugar even without added insulin. The researchers will map the nerve pathways involved and study how ultrasound changes those signals to guide future human use. If the project advances to people, the procedure would be non-invasive and performed at clinical sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a non-invasive way to lower and stabilize blood sugar without adding insulin or new drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in multiple rodent diabetes models have shown promising, long-lasting glucose improvements with peripheral focused ultrasound, but human testing remains limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herzog, Raimund Ingo — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Herzog, Raimund Ingo
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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.