Glycemic and Weight Loss Effects of Semaglutide in People with Spinal Cord Injury and Type 2 Diabetes
Official title: Glycemic and Weight Loss Effects of Semaglutide in Subjects After Spinal Cord Injury and Type 2 Diabetes
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11345560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether semaglutide can improve blood sugar control and help with weight loss in adults who have both spinal cord injury and type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $700,873 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140144-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345560 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with spinal cord injury and type 2 diabetes who can safely receive GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who cannot tolerate GLP-1RA therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
People with spinal cord injury often develop diabetes younger and more severely, with added risks from obesity and autonomic problems. The study will look at how semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, affects blood glucose tolerance, weight, and related metabolic factors in SCI patients with type 2 diabetes. Researchers will monitor safety, tolerability, and changes in pancreatic beta-cell function to understand potential benefits for this high-risk group. The trial builds on existing data showing GLP-1RAs improve glucose and weight in the general population but are underused in SCI patients. If successful, this work could guide personalized diabetes management for people living with SCI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Participants could experience better blood sugar control and weight loss, potentially reducing cardiovascular risk.
How similar studies have gone: GLP-1RA therapies have improved glycemic control and weight in general diabetes populations, but data in SCI patients are limited and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salehi, Marzieh — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Salehi, Marzieh
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Effects of Semaglutide on Diabetes and Weight Loss in People with Spinal Cord Injury
This study is looking at how well semaglutide, a medication that helps with blood sugar control and weight loss, works for people with spinal cord injuries who also have type 2 diabetes, to see if it can help them manage their diabetes better.
-
Subtyping Core for Research on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (SCORE-T2D)
A new U01 grant from a university research team aims to understand why Type 2 diabetes differs so much between people and how to tailor prevention and treatment.
-
Michigan Diabetes Project: A Peer-Led Self-Management Program for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
A peer-led self-management program for adults with type 2 diabetes is being tested to see if it improves blood sugar control and daily diabetes care.
-
Alzheimer’s and dementia risk in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
This grant aims to understand why some older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes develop memory problems or dementia.
-
Personalized use of newer diabetes medicines for Type 2 diabetes
Aiming to tailor use of newer glucose-lowering drugs for people with type 2 diabetes to improve health and access in real-world settings.
-
Alzheimer’s and related dementia in older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
This grant aims to understand why cognitive problems occur in people 65 and older who have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, using data from a long-running diabetes study to identify what drives memory and thinking decline.
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.