Understanding how gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy
Official title: Elucidating the Pathophysiology of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11099798 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the body's insulin-producing cells change in pregnant women to better understand gestational diabetes and help improve diabetes care for moms both during and after pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $190,620 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK134767-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11099798 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women, particularly those at risk for developing gestational diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have already been diagnosed with gestational diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the underlying mechanisms of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by examining how maternal beta-cell function changes during early pregnancy and its implications for later development of diabetes. The project involves in vivo studies with pregnant women to analyze physiological data and identify risk factors for GDM. Dr. Egan, a trained endocrinologist, will work under the guidance of experienced researchers at Mayo Clinic to fill knowledge gaps and develop new insights into diabetes management during and after pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for predicting and managing gestational diabetes, ultimately enhancing maternal and fetal health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding diabetes mechanisms, but this specific focus on early pregnancy and beta-cell function is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Egan, Aoife Maria — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Egan, Aoife Maria
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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In Vivo Look at Placental Blood Flow in Gestational Diabetes
A non-invasive MRI study in pregnant people with gestational diabetes and those without will map how placental blood vessels work and relate to baby outcomes.
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Decoding how gestational diabetes links to future coronary artery disease
A study using health records and big data to understand why women who had gestational diabetes later face heart disease, with the goal of guiding prevention.
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Understanding how gestational diabetes and depression during pregnancy affect mothers and their children
This project explores how gestational diabetes and depression during pregnancy might influence a mother's mental health after birth and her child's brain development.
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Better Blood Sugar Goals for Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Who Are Overweight or Obese
This project looks at whether stricter blood sugar goals can help pregnant women who have gestational diabetes and are also overweight or obese have healthier pregnancies and babies.
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The effects of gestational diabetes and maternal depression on child development
This study looks at how having gestational diabetes and feeling depressed during pregnancy might affect how children develop, and it’s for moms-to-be who want to understand how their health can impact their little ones.
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Helping women with a history of gestational diabetes prevent type 2 diabetes.
This study is helping women who had gestational diabetes learn about their options for preventing type 2 diabetes, using a friendly tool that makes it easier for them to choose the best path for their health and lifestyle.
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.