Investigating the impact of fat around the heart on diabetes and heart health in young people undergoing weight loss surgery
Official title: Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11061185 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the fat around the heart affects heart health in teenagers with type 2 diabetes who are having weight loss surgery, using special heart scans to find out more about it and see how different diabetes treatments might help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $36,908 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HL165967-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061185 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes who are considering or undergoing bariatric surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have type 2 diabetes or are not undergoing bariatric surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how epicardial adipose tissue (fat around the heart) affects cardiometabolic health in adolescents with type 2 diabetes who are undergoing bariatric surgery. The study aims to use advanced cardiac MRI techniques to accurately measure this fat and its relationship with heart health. By examining these factors, the research seeks to identify early indicators of cardiovascular disease in young patients. Additionally, it will explore how different diabetes treatments may influence these cardiometabolic risk factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing diabetes and preventing heart disease in young patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of epicardial adipose tissue in adult populations, but this specific focus on adolescents is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dobbs, Tyler J — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Dobbs, Tyler J
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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.