There are two new studies at the Joslin Diabetes Center. They are searching for volunteers, if you are interested. When I participated in a study there in 2009, they paid my transportation and lodging for one night.
Here is a description of the two studies:
1- Patients with 30-49 years of Type 1 Diabetes who have no history of eye or kidney disease but have an A1c of 7.5% or higher!
2- Patients with less than 20 years of Type 1 Diabetes who have a history of eye or kidney disease but have an A1c of less than 7.5%!
They find these groups of people very interesting. If you know of anyone who qualifies for this study PLEASE give them this contact information: Stephanie D’Eon, Study Coordinator, (617)309-3481, Stephanie.d’eon@joslin.harvard.edu.
I am going to Boston when the weather improves to participate in the 50 year research. And, yes, they pay transportation, 1 night hotel, as well as shuttle service to airport and Joslin.
Any idea if they are doing any SATELLITE studies (i.e. locations off-site)??? I'm not anywhere near Boston, nor likely to be but possess decades of experience & data for someone to use if they only ask… >: >
I called and found I don't qualify. Apparently they are interested in your most recent A1c. I'm a little surprised they don't take your average A1c over the years, and maybe they do that but only once you are initially qualified.
I would assume that once they have the two groups, they will do a comparative gene test to see whether there is a genetic reason that some people are more likely to get complications. That could be used to develop a genetic test to better predict our personal risks (though that may be too much information for many).
But the genes involved could also help understand why complications occur which could have huge benefit. For example if a mutation of gene X leads to a high risk of retinopathy, then maybe a drug that supplies the protein that is coded for by gene X will help those at high risk avoid retinopathy. That would be huge.
Or maybe they'll find it isn't genetic at all but related to the diet that is eaten, or exercise, or any of a number of other things. Which could also be huge. You just don't know.
You can't really predict where research will lead, which is why basic research (testing things that may not lead to an obvious benefit) is important as well as practical applications like better meters.
