They are then given an intravenous glucose tolerance test to measure insulin response. Those who show the signs of impending Type 1 diabetes are invited to participate in the study group, in which half receive low doses of insulin and half receive a placebo. It is being conducted at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in conjunction with the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver, Colorado. The study focuses on children from birth through age 7 who are at high risk for developing Type 1 diabetes because of their genetic predisposition. Children are screened for the genetic markers that indicate high risk.
Parents fill out detailed questionnaires about events that occurred during the life of the child.
The researchers will follow the child during additional clinical visits. Proximity to Denver, Colorado, or willingness to travel to Denver, is highly desired. Nicotinamide, a vitamin B3 derivative, interferes with the immune mediated beta-cell destruction by reducing the content of FR and NO and thereby reducing their deleterious effects. At the same time, nicotinamide increases the intracellular NAD pool, thus increasing the energy supply of the cell. Nicotinamide protects against chemically induced as well as spontaneous diabetes in animal models of the disease.