Investigating the causes and prevention of youth-onset type 2 diabetes.
Official title: Understanding and Targeting the Pathophysiology of Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes-Texas Children's Center.
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11042828 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at what causes type 2 diabetes in kids aged 8 to 14, especially those who seem healthy but might be at risk, so we can find ways to prevent it from developing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | March 5, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $639,257 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK134982-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042828 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 8 to 14 years who are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, particularly those with normal glucose tolerance or prediabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 14 years or those who already have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the complex factors that lead to youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D), which progresses more rapidly than adult-onset diabetes. The study aims to identify high-risk children aged 8 to 14 years who have normal glucose tolerance or prediabetes, and to monitor their health over time. By collaborating with various clinical centers, the researchers will conduct in-depth assessments and surveys to explore how hormonal and environmental factors contribute to the development of T2D. The goal is to uncover the risk factors and biological changes that can help prevent this condition in young individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective prevention strategies for youth-onset type 2 diabetes, reducing the risk of serious health complications in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding and preventing adult-onset diabetes, but this specific focus on youth-onset type 2 diabetes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bacha, Fida — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Bacha, Fida
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
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.
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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.
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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.