Patent ID: 9662059
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A non-invasive method of monitoring changes in beta cell mass in a subject comprising: detecting a first time point level of Dopamine receptor expression in endocrine pancreatic islets in the pancreas of said subject, detecting a second time point level of Dopamine receptor expression in endocrine pancreatic islets in the pancreas of said subject, and monitoring change in beta cell mass by comparing the first time point level of Dopamine receptor expression with the second time point level of Dopamine receptor expression, wherein a reduction of Dopamine receptor expression in endocrine pancreatic islets in the pancreas of said subject is indicative of reduction in beta cell mass, and wherein each of said detecting the first time point level and second time point level comprises an assay comprising the steps of: and wherein the reduction in beta cell mass is predictive of being at risk or predisposed to developing clinical symptoms of diabetes in the subject.