Preventing Crohn's disease in people at high risk
Official title: Prevention of Crohns Disease in High-Risk Individuals
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11079567 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in diet and lifestyle can help prevent Crohn's disease in people who have a family member with the condition, and it will provide personalized advice to help you make choices that could lower your risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,661 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK136977-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079567 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults over 21 years old who have a first-degree relative with Crohn's disease or carry genetic variants associated with the condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a family history of Crohn's disease or relevant genetic markers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on preventing Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, in individuals who are at high risk, such as those with a first-degree relative diagnosed with the disease. The study will explore how dietary and lifestyle changes can influence the development of Crohn's disease by examining specific biomarkers that indicate early signs of the condition. Participants will receive personalized risk assessments and counseling to help them make informed lifestyle choices aimed at reducing their risk of developing Crohn's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the incidence of Crohn's disease in high-risk individuals through effective prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using lifestyle modifications to influence disease outcomes in similar populations, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lopes, Emily Walsh — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lopes, Emily Walsh
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Site-specific gene-microbial interactions in children with Crohn’s disease
A child-focused study explores how genes and gut microbes interact in very young children with Crohn’s disease to understand why the disease starts and how it might be treated.
-
Ultrasound markers to measure Crohn’s disease activity
A Mayo Clinic team is testing new 3D ultrasound methods to reliably track inflammation and scarring in Crohn’s disease using safe, affordable imaging that could replace more costly scans.
-
Understanding abnormal sugar building blocks in Crohn’s disease to guide smarter therapies
This project looks at how a specific genetic variation affects how Crohn’s disease works and whether targeting that pathway could lead to new treatments.
-
AI and single-cell tests to predict Crohn's disease course in children
This project uses artificial intelligence plus single-cell and other molecular data to predict which children and teens with Crohn's disease will have mild versus severe or treatment‑resistant disease.
-
How IL-23 Blockade in Crohn's Disease Changes Immune Cells
This study looks at how the IL-23 blocking therapy risankizumab affects immune cells in people with Crohn’s disease.
-
Metabolic signatures that predict outcomes in children with Crohn's
This project looks at metabolism patterns in children with Crohn's disease to help predict how their condition will progress and respond to treatments.
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.