Investigating the causes and prevention of youth-onset type 2 diabetes
Official title: Understanding and Targeting the Pathophysiology of Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes - Biostatistics Research Center
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11042216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some young people develop type 2 diabetes during puberty while others stay healthy, hoping to find ways to prevent and treat the condition better for kids and teens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $3,091,578 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK134971-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents and young adults who are at risk for or currently experiencing youth-onset type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the youth age range or those with adult-onset type 2 diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the factors that contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in young people, particularly during puberty when insulin sensitivity changes. It aims to identify why some adolescents maintain healthy insulin function while others do not, despite having similar characteristics. By examining the progression from normal blood sugar levels to prediabetes and then to diabetes, the study will explore the impact of various risk factors, including environmental influences and differences based on sex and ethnicity. The findings could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies tailored for youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for youth-onset type 2 diabetes, ultimately reducing its prevalence and impact on young individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding diabetes risk factors in youth, but this study aims to provide a more comprehensive and targeted approach, making it a novel effort in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Braffett, Barbara Halina — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Braffett, Barbara Halina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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
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-
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.
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Understanding why youth develop type 2 diabetes and how to prevent it
A nationwide study aims to unravel why some teens with obesity develop type 2 diabetes while others don’t, and to identify factors that could help prevent it.
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.