Ian M. Burr Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

February 2, 2024

Study links small pancreas size to faster progression to stage 3 Type 1 diabetes

The study findings, published in the journal Diabetes Care, suggest that pancreas imaging can have a benefit in tracking disease development and recruitment for preventive and therapeutic trials.

By Jill Clendening
March 23, 2023

Study sheds light on drug’s impact on diabetes progression

A Vanderbilt study of a treatment to delay the development of Type 1 diabetes in individuals at high risk did not meet the study goals of delaying progression from normal glucose tolerance to abnormal glucose tolerance or clinical diagnosis, although the study drug, abatacept, impacted immune response and preserved insulin production during the one-year treatment period.

By Craig Boerner
When half of their six children were diagnosed with what was then believed to be Type 1 diabetes, David and Ellen Pursell decided their family would participate in research related to the health condition. This family photo from several years ago includes, seated, from left, Peggy, Ramsey and Chrissy. Standing, from left, are Vaughan, Ellen, Martin, David and Parker.
March 9, 2023

Family’s participation key to advancing diabetes research

A study of one family from Alabama has led Vanderbilt researchers to discover that insulin deficiency, independent of the autoimmunity associated with Type 1 diabetes, is the principal factor leading to a markedly smaller pancreas.

By Jill Clendening
William Russell, MD, second from right, is the principal investigator for a study that uses a plasmid-based therapy to try to selectively desensitize the immune system in people with Type 1 diabetes. Shown here are, from left, Lana Howard, RN, CCRP; Brenna Hammel, RN, CPN; study participant Adam Brooks; Russell; and Robin Perkins, RN. Not pictured: Faith Brendle, RN, CPN, CCRP.
September 1, 2022

Trial participant steps up to help advance diabetes research

Vanderbilt is one of 16 North American sites conducting the Tolerance Using Plasmid in People with Type 1 Diabetes (TOPPLE) study, a phase 1 investigation that tests the safety and dosing of a new plasmid therapy.

By Jill Clendening
February 10, 2022

New insights into hypothalamic obesity

A common Type 2 diabetes treatment being tested for hypothalamic obesity had unexpected results on weight loss and total energy expenditure, Vanderbilt researchers report.

By VUMC News and Communications
September 16, 2021

‘Pre-conditioning’ restores immune tolerance

A treatment targeting T-cell metabolism could reinvigorate immune tolerance mechanisms to combat autoimmune disease and transplant rejection, Vanderbilt researchers discovered.

By Bill Snyder
August 27, 2021

Study proves standardized protocol can support reliable MRI use for multisite pancreatic research

Researchers with the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center led a multisite study which has demonstrated that, when controlled and standardized, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pancreas is highly reproducible when using different MRI hardware and software at different geographic locations.
By Jill Clendening
November 3, 2020

New treatment for a rare obesity

Diabetes drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as exenatide (Byetta), are a promising and safe treatment for a rare form of obesity.
By Bill Snyder
June 9, 2019

Study drug delays type 1 diabetes in high risk children and adults

Drug delays onset of type 1 diabetes by two years
By Craig Boerner
April 25, 2019

Study expands insight on shrinking pancreas in type 1 diabetes

Researchers with the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) have discovered a progressive decline in pancreas volume over a one-year period in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes.
By Jill Clendening
September 13, 2018

Healthy antibodies reverse diabetes

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that IgM-type antibodies appear to play a protective role to prevent the development of type 1 diabetes — and that purified IgM antibodies can reverse the disease.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 22, 2017

Study uses child’s own immune system against type one diabetes

Eighteen-year-old Grace Long had just been accepted at the renowned United States Naval Academy, with plans to become a nuclear engineering officer. Then, she learned she had type 1 diabetes, an immediate disqualifier for military service.
By Jill Clendening
November 17, 2016

Stem cells promote tolerance

Blood-forming stem cells play a role in immune tolerance and acceptance of organ transplants, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
By Leigh MacMillan
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