Understanding how youth-onset type 2 diabetes develops and how to stop it
Official title: Understanding and Targeting the Pathophysiology of Youth-onset Type 2 DiabetesNYU Clinical Center
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11529089 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study of why some youths with obesity develop type 2 diabetes during puberty and how to prevent or slow it in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2026 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $155,567 |
| NIH project number | 3U01DK135012-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11529089 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Youth and adolescents at risk for or showing early signs of YO-T2D, especially those with obesity and varying pubertal stages.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without youth-onset diabetes or related risk factors may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project focuses on understanding the biology of glucose control, insulin resistance, and how puberty interacts with obesity to drive youth-onset type 2 diabetes. It will compare how boys and girls, urban vs rural communities, and different populations experience risk factors, with attention to psychological and social contexts. By following participants over time, researchers hope to map when the disease starts and what modifiable factors could alter its course, with the aim of guiding better prevention and treatment strategies for young people. The DISCOVERY study leverages existing data and new observations to build a clearer picture of YO-T2D progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to earlier identification of YO-T2D risk and new strategies to preserve insulin function in youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that puberty-related insulin resistance and obesity interact to influence diabetes risk, with ongoing work building a more precise progression model.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallagher, Mary Patricia — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gallagher, Mary Patricia
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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.