Understanding the connection between the brain, gut, and retina in diabetic eye disease
Official title: Brain-gut-retina axis in diabetic retinopathy
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11017718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells might cause problems in the eyes of people with diabetes, which can lead to vision loss, and it aims to find out how these cells interact with the brain and gut to better understand and potentially improve treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $524,816 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033620-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetes who are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who do not have any signs of diabetic retinopathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain-gut-retina axis becomes dysfunctional in diabetic retinopathy (DR), a condition that can lead to vision loss in people with diabetes. It focuses on the role of immune cells, particularly Th17 cells, which are typically found in the gut and may contribute to inflammation in the retina when their function is altered. By studying the interactions between these immune cells and the nervous system, the research aims to uncover new mechanisms that drive the progression of DR. The approach includes both loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies to understand how changes in the brain affect immune responses in the gut and retina.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing or treating diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of the brain-gut axis is gaining attention, this specific investigation into its role in diabetic retinopathy is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grant, Maria Bartolomeo — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Grant, Maria Bartolomeo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Integrative multi-omics to understand diabetic retinopathy
A doctor-scientist team will study blood markers and genetic signals to see why diabetic retinopathy happens and how it affects Hispanic/Latino people.
-
Smartphone retinal imaging for diabetic eye disease in Egypt
This project uses a low-cost smartphone camera and AI to find signs of diabetic eye damage in adults with diabetes in Egypt.
-
Retinal Cell Loss in Diabetic Retinopathy
This project looks at how mitochondrial problems and a specific kind of cell death called ferroptosis may cause retinal cells to die in people with diabetes-related eye disease.
-
Redox-triggered REDD1 blockers for diabetic retinopathy
A research project tests new ways to stop a stress protein (REDD1) from causing vision problems in people with diabetic retinopathy.
-
Ultrafast eye imaging to detect and track diabetic retinopathy
A doctor-science team is developing ultra-fast eye scans to better see tiny blood vessels in people with diabetic retinopathy, helping catch changes early and guide treatment.
-
Practical device to automatically track abnormal retinal blood vessel growth in diabetic eye disease
A new, easier-to-use imaging device aims to automatically detect and monitor abnormal retinal blood vessel growth in people with diabetic retinopathy.
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.